ALBANY - State lawmakers are taking a new look at the old problem of lead poisoning in children by trying to ban lead-based jewelry often used in body piercing. A related measure is designed to make sure a landmark 37-year-old ban on lead paint isn't ignored.

A recent state test found as much as 95 percent of children's jewelry was made with lead, according to the advocacy group Clean New York - A Project of Women's Voices for the Earth.

“With the lead levels in jewelry we've seen today, it's clear we can't afford to wait,” said Assemblyman David Koon, a Rochester Democrat.

Koon and Republican Sen. James Alesi of Monroe County are sponsoring a measure that would restrict the sale of jewelry, toys, decorations, and other products primarily marketed for children containing large amounts of lead. The bill would also require labeling of items containing any lead.

Penalties could reach $2,500 for each sale.

More than 10,000 children statewide are diagnosed with high levels of lead in their blood, which can cause irreversible brain and tissue damage, said state Sen. Bill Perkins, a Harlem Democrat. He has proposed a bill that would provide tax credits and a revolving loan fund to help property owners remove or seal lead paint in their apartments. Lead paint was banned in 1970 because of its threat to residents, especially children who eat chips of lead paint.

Since then, landlords have been required to gain certification that properties built before 1970 are lead free or “lead stabilized.” They must be recertified in following years. The loan fund and tax credits would help make that happen, Perkins said.

“We don't want to hurt landlords and property owners,” Perkins said. “We are going to help them to do the right thing.”

“Once the damage is done, it cannot be undone,” said Perkins, who as a New York City councilman brought a similar measure to the five boroughs. “Our focus should be on preventing lead poisoning before it occurs, not on detecting it afterwards.”

Gov. Eliot Spitzer supports the idea, though it's unclear if the Senate's Republican majority will allow the Democrat's proposal to go to a floor vote.

Perkins said a proactive approach is needed because now the state only requires inspection of homes for lead paint after a child is found to have high lead levels in their blood. About 70 percent of the state's housing was built before 1970.