ALBANY — City health officials plan to test for elevated levels of lead dust at up to 20 buildings owned by an East Village landlord notorious for allegations of tenant harassment, the Daily News has learned.
The testing is being undertaken at the urging of local elected officials who charge that “reckless construction” taking place in buildings owned by Raphael Toledano is endangering the health of tenants.
“The situation is outrageous and unacceptable,” said State Sen. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan).
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Hoylman and seven other elected officials from the area, including Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan), sent a letter to the city Health Department this week asking for tests at the buildings owned by Toledano’s Brookhill Properties.
They said initial testing at three Toledano buildings — 514 E. 12th St.; 235 East 5th St.; and 233 East 5th St. — showed potentially hazardous levels of lead dust in common areas.
“There have been layers of dust in my building and apartment — so much that I was told by my doctor to wear a dust mask in my own house,” said Holly Slayton, 42, who lives at the E. 12th St. building.
City Health Department spokesman Christopher Miller confirmed the agency will conduct tests at the properties. More than 100 people live in the targeted buildings.
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A spokesman for Brookhill said any health and safety issue brought to its attention will be immediately remedied.
Toledano has been the subject of complaints and at least one ongoing investigation by the state’s Tenant Protection Unit into allegations of harassment of rent-regulated tenants, including threats of eviction and the shutting off of gas. Toledano has repeatedly denied the accusations.
