New Jersey Department of Health Recognizes National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, Highlights the Importance of Blood Lead Testing and Knowing Your Risk
TRENTON, NJ - In recognition of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 25 to 31), themed “Keep Kids Safe from Lead,” the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is raising awareness about lead exposure and highlighting statewide resources for testing and prevention.
It is estimated that over three million families in the U.S. with a child under six years of age live in homes that could expose children to lead-based paint hazards. In New Jersey, between State Fiscal Years (SFY) 2020 – 2024, the percentage of children under age six with an elevated blood lead level decreased from 2.1% to 1.4%. Families are encouraged to learn about lead hazards in their environment; ensure children receive a blood lead test; and mitigate potential lead sources in their homes.
New Jersey requires universal blood lead screening for all children at 12 months, 24 months, and any time before age 6 if initial tests were not conducted. Children under 6 years of age are more susceptible to harmful health effects from lead exposure. Any child with a blood lead level of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or more should be re-tested and monitored for potential lead exposure. However, parents should take steps to reduce any lead exposure.
“Low levels of lead can still lead to health problems because no amount of blood lead level is safe,” says Dr. Raynard E. Washington, Health Commissioner. “Testing is the only way to identify exposure before it leads to severe and permanent health consequences such as hearing problems and brain damage.”
Common sources of lead include lead-based paint (especially in homes built before 1978), leaded pipes, contaminated soil, certain jobs and hobbies, imported goods (i.e., cosmetics, candies, spices, and toys), metal cookware, herbal remedies, and food and drink products.
In January 2026, a new law was enacted that requires healthcare professionals to perform lead screening of pregnant persons with potential lead exposure risk. Lead exposure during pregnancy carries an increased risk of high blood pressure and preeclampsia. Lead and other toxic metals can be transferred during pregnancy, resulting in harmful birth, early childhood, and lifelong health outcomes.
Eighty percent of children who were born in New Jersey and turned 3 years of age during SFY 2024 had at least one blood lead test in their lifetime. In the same year, less than two percent of children statewide were found to have blood lead levels at or above the reference value of 5.0 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL). Symptoms may not appear in most children, but can include loss of appetite, irritability, constipation, and muscle weakness. High lead levels in children can cause confusion, seizures, coma, and death.
How to Prevent Lead Poisoning
- Make sure you and your child have been tested for lead. Insurance companies in New Jersey are required to cover lead screenings for children under 17 years of age. Testing can be done through the child’s healthcare provider or a laboratory. Federally Qualified Health Centers can provide testing based on eligibility. If your child does not have health insurance or is underinsured, free testing is available through local health departments (LHDs). Parents or guardians can access their child’s lead test results via the Docket® App (available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store) or myHealthNJ.com.
- Take steps to keep your environment lead-safe. Keep your home clean and dust free, wash your hands often, and take off your shoes before entering your home. If there is occupational exposure, wash work clothes separately from regular clothes. Hire certified lead professionals for renovations, and check for lead-based paint hazards in homes built before 1978.
- Maintain a well-balanced diet. Eating foods high in calcium, iron, and vitamin C can help reduce absorption of lead.
Childhood Lead Program
The Department’s Childhood Lead Program oversees lead poisoning prevention in children. NJDOH recently awarded $15 million for SFY 2027 to support public health partners with screenings, nurse case management, environmental investigations, health education, prevention efforts, and trainings. Across the state, LHDs conduct home visits to identify lead hazards, coordinate follow-up testing, order lead hazard removal, and connect families to resources.
New Jersey Biomonitoring Program
In 2019, the NJ Biomonitoring Program within NJDOH’s Public Health and Environmental Laboratories began lead and mercury testing in prenatal and perinatal populations. Through three hospital partnerships—with University Hospital (Newark), Saint Peter's University Hospital (New Brunswick), and Capital Health (Hopewell/Trenton)—and community outreach events, the program has collected nearly 35,000 samples and helped nearly 2,000 pregnant people and infants access care.
Lead Assistance Programs
Lead-based paint can pose serious health risks such as seizures and kidney damage, especially for children who ingest paint chips or contaminated dust. The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) offers lead assistance programs to help remediate and abate lead-based paint hazards. Tenants and homeowners can determine their eligibility and apply here: nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/leadsafe.shtml. If you are unsure whether your home has lead-based paint, hire a Lead Evaluation Contractor.
“Protecting New Jersey families from the dangers of lead exposure starts with making homes safer, especially for our youngest residents,” said New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “Through DCA’s lead assistance programs, we help eligible homeowners and tenants address lead-based paint hazards and create healthier living environments. We’re continuing to build on these efforts. DCA recently issued a new RFP for the HUD Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Grant Program and expects to release a separate RFP for the State Lead Safe Remediation Program in November. During National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, we encourage residents to learn about the resources available to them and take steps to protect their families from the harmful effects of lead.”
Lead Service Lines
Lead found in plumbing and appliances—such as lead service lines, home plumbing, and old faucets—can seep into drinking water over time. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) requires drinking water systems to inventory service lines, notify residents of potential lead presence in service lines, and plan for lead service line replacement within 10 years. Residents can access potential sources of lead exposure in NJ by using the Potential Lead Exposure Mapping (PLEM) Tool.
“National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week reminds us of the importance of reducing childhood exposure to lead, which is particularly harmful for a child’s development. New Jersey continues to work together with communities across the state to rid all potential lead hazards from our environment, most importantly in drinking water,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Ed Potosnak. “With support from DEP, water providers continue to identify and completely replace lead water service lines and lead-containing plumbing to ensure safe, lead-free drinking water for our communities.”
Resources
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The New Jersey Department of Health is a nationally accredited health department working to ensure that all New Jerseyans live long, healthy lives and reach their fullest potential. With more than 6,000 employees, the Department serves to protect the public’s health, promote healthy communities, and continue to improve the quality of health care in New Jersey.
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