General Information

What is Lead?
Lead is a highly toxic metal that remains in the environment after use. Lead has been used in the manufacturing of many products for centuries. Until the 1970's, lead could be found almost everywhere in New Jersey and the United States. Homes were covered with lead paint. Cars used leaded gasoline. Water pipes, ink, batteries, crayons and many other household goods had lead in them.

Where is lead Found?

Lead-Based Paint
Lead is often found in peeling and chipping lead-based paint and dust located in houses and apartments built before 1978. Although lead-based paint for residential use was banned in New Jersey in 1971 it was still widely available until the national ban on sales in 1978. However, lead is currently used in industrial paints.

Dust and Debris
Standard maintenance and remodeling practices in old homes may release lead through dust and debris. This is also true for renovation of other structures, such as schools and bridges.

Soil
Soil may contain lead from paint fallen from older buildings, industrial pollution, and waste from batteries. Also, until the 1980's, lead was used in gasoline, and lead exhaust from passing vehicles was deposited on the ground. Consequently, a great portion of land, including playgrounds and schoolyards, has lead-contaminated soil. Soil around newer homes that were constructed on orchard sites may be contaminated with lead arsenate that was formerly used on crops.

Drinking Water
If an older home or facility was constructed using pipes soldered or welded together with metals containing lead, drinking water may be contaminated. When water sits in the pipes for several hours, the lead is released and contaminates the water.

Work Place Exposure
People whose occupations or hobbies involve lead may carry lead residue on their clothing or other objects, and unknowingly expose their families. Some work places where it is common to be exposed to lead include auto body repair shops, bridge and water tank painting and sanding, marine painting and sanding, radiator work, demolition of older buildings and cars, and battery manufacturing.

Food and Household Items
Imported food may contain lead if it was stored in lead soldered cans or kept or cooked in pottery, ceramic, or crystal containers made with lead. Pottery is often covered with glazes that contain lead. This is primarily a problem in industries that do not have the resources to ensure their kilns are hot enough to seal in any lead toxins. Also, imported candles that have metal wicks may contain lead. Pigments used in plastics and labels may increase exposures to lead. Products can include imported mini-blinds, toys, candy labels, shellacs and clear coatings.

Cosmetics
Cosmetics or make-up from other countries often contain lead, and are commonly used in Middle Eastern and South Asian cultures.

Home Remedies
Many home remedies used by cultures throughout the world contain lead and are particularly dangerous as they are ingested. These remedies include Paylooah from Southeast Asia, Azarcon from Mexico , and others such as Greta, Ruedo, Alacron Kohl, Ghassard, and Kandu.

What is Lead Poisoning?
Lead poisoning is a serious medical problem that occurs when too much lead accumulates in the body. When eaten or inhaled, lead is easily absorbed into the body and can cause developmental and neurological problems. Anyone can become lead poisoned, but children under the age of six and pregnant women are at greatest risk.

Why is New Jersey Concerned?
As the most densely populated state, with one of the oldest and most extensive industrial heritages, New Jersey contains a substantial amount of lead, subjecting its residents to the dangers of lead poisoning. A legacy of lead in housing, soil, and water often creates unacceptably high exposure levels to children, adults, pets and wildlife.
Today, the primary cause of lead poisoning in children is lead-based paint. Lead-based paint was banned from residential use in New Jersey in 1971 and nationally in 1978. However, housing built prior to 1978 may be contaminated. Houses built prior to 1950 present the greatest risk due to the high percentage of lead contained in older paint. More than 30% of the housing in New Jersey was built before 1950. In addition, every county in the State has more than 9,000 housing units built before 1950. For these reasons, lead poisoning prevention is of significant importance to the people of New Jersey.

What has New Jersey done to Address Lead Poisoning?

1. Remove Lead From the Environment
Since 1995, lead in the environment has been substantially reduced through establishing methods of reduction. Contractors and workers have been trained in performance of maintenance and lead abatement, and pre-1978 childcare centers have been inspected throughout the State. In addition, means of disposal for construction and demolition debris have been identified, and recycling programs for batteries have been established. Regulations were adopted that would provide for lead hazard evaluation and abatement methods.

An improved risk screening tool was developed, adding the capacity of evaluating non-cancer causing air toxins, including lead, and the ability to look at short-term impacts. Laws and regulations were developed, including the Brownfield and Contamination Site Remediation Act and the Private Well Testing Act.

2. Minimize Exposure
Agencies have sought means to minimize exposure for residents and workers. State departments have implemented regulations and guidelines as set forth by Federal agencies, such as HUD, EPA, and CDC in order to prevent or limit exposure. Training and certification standards were established for individuals to perform lead abatement and evaluation work. In addition to implementing regulations, New Jersey departments involved with lead hazard reduction in buildings have continued to debate issues discussed on a national level, including "abatement" versus "lead-safe maintenance." Also, throughout the State lead-safe housing has been established to relocate lead-burdened children and their families. Funding has been sought to carry out such activities.

3. Identify Lead Sources for Priority Initiatives
Many sources of lead have already been identified. However, additional sources continue to be identified and interventions developed for at-risk populations.

4. Education and Awareness
New Jersey has taken steps to increase awareness and to provide prevention education. Many educational materials are available in English and Spanish. Several State departments and local stakeholders have received funds to develop educational materials, programs, mass media campaigns, and professional conferences. These initiatives targeted a wide variety of groups. National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, observed in October and coordinated by the Task Force, serves as the annual statewide event to increase awareness, recognize collaborations and promote successful prevention strategies.

5. Worker Protection
Industrial hygiene evaluations and lead-safe work practices trainings were conducted to ensure worker safety. New Jersey has an ongoing training and certification program for individuals who conduct lead abatement and evaluation activities throughout the State. To date, over 10,000 individuals have been trained

6. Lead Creening and Surveillance
Children are especially at risk for lead poisoning because of developmental hand to mouth activity common among infants, toddlers and preschoolers. In 1997, New Jersey created legislation requiring all one and two year olds to be screened for lead poisoning.
Several databases track the incidence and prevalence of lead poisoning among children, and adults whose occupation places him or her at higher risk. Persons identified with lead poisoning were provided with case management services. Targeted outreach was performed to test children who are Medicaid beneficiaries who have not received age-appropriate lead screenings.

7. Resources, Infrastructure and Coordination
Since 1995, numerous partnerships have been established, educational materials and programs developed, and other activities conducted to strengthen the statewide infrastructure to address lead poisoning prevention and lead hazard reduction.