It's been more than four decades since lead paint was banned, but throughout Central New York, lead paint still exists in our homes. It can be especially risky for children younger than six.

Onondaga County leaders are holding a series of town halls to help residents limit lead exposure. Tuesday, there was a session for landlords and renters.

About 10 percent of children in Syracuse had elevated levels of lead in their blood last year, according to the Onondaga County Health department. However, lead poisoning is 100 percent preventable, the CDC says. A lot of that responsibility lies with landlords.

Because more than 90 percent of the homes in Syracuse were built before 1978, many have remnants of lead paint.

Greg Smith knows the problem well. He collected a bag of lead from one of the 70 rental units he owns throughout the city's near west side. Smith says landlords like him literally and figuratively own the problem of reducing lead exposure.

"People in the landlording profession have accepted the mission of providing a warm safe and dry place for the people to live and this is part of it,” said Smith. “It's our duty."

Lead exposure can cause brain damage or slow development in children. Toddlers are especially at risk because they are more likely to touch lead and then put their hands in their mouth. Officials say the toxins can be invisible.

"Think about all the times you're opening and closing window and they create that dust that you can't always see,” said Stephanie Pasquale, the commissioner of neighborhood and business development department in Syracuse. “So when people talk about chips and they show in the video big hunks of paint, you see that and think oh boy I better clean that up, but dust can be airborne. It settles on the ground on toys. You don't always see it."

Officials say replacing windows and doors is one of the best ways to limit lead exposure.  Smith has replaced hundreds in his properties. He says he's constantly adding a new coat of paint to trap lead -- keeping homes clean and safe is Smith's goal.

“When you're trying to prevent this it's more of a like crime scene clean up,” said Smith. “You know, you're talking about truly invisible dust."

Onondaga County and the city of Syracuse both have millions of dollars worth of federal grants available. They're available to homeowners and renters.