Senate Acts on Bills Protecting New Jersey Families from Lead Poisoning

TRENTON – The Senate acted on three bills aimed at better protecting children and families in New Jersey from lead poisoning.
Senate Democrats have consistently advocated for an increase in funding for lead hazard reduction efforts; however, legislation to provide the funding has been rejected by the governor. The bills approved address funding for lead hazard reduction, requirements for inspections in certain housing and the blood lead levels which require responsive action by the state. Today’s votes come as increased attention is being focused on the lead crisis in New Jersey and across the country, and after a recently-released report showed that 11 cities and two counties in New Jersey have a higher proportion of children affected by lead than in Flint, Michigan.
“Lead exposure is a serious problem affecting thousands of children and families in New Jersey,” said Senator Ronald L. Rice (D-Essex). “While the lead crisis in Flint has dominated the headlines and sparked a national outcry, the fact is that we have a crisis here, too. This issue cannot be ignored, nor is it one that we will allow to go unaddressed by government. The effects of lead on the brain and nervous system can be severe and, tragically, they are irreversible. We have a responsibility to take action for the safety of our residents. Today, the Senate did that and, in doing so, sent the message that addressing the crisis in New Jersey is a priority.”
The first bill (S-996), sponsored by Senator Rice and Senator Jeff Van Drew, would provide $10 million in funding in the current FY16 budget to the Lead Hazard Control Assistance Fund, which provides funding to address lead-based paint in New Jersey in a comprehensive and focused manner. The bill was approved by the Senate by a vote of 32-0.
“Lead poisoning can be extremely harmful to the health of a child, causing severe problems that can affect them both in the short and long term,” added Senator Rice. “This bill is one step in the effort to eliminate lead hazards for all children in our state through remediation and other means.”
“This is important funding that will go towards programs that will decrease the risk of lead exposure to our residents, but particularly to children. The fact is that the lead problem persists largely in areas where our housing stock is older, and that is often in communities that are already dealing with poverty and health risks. Since, many times, there are no obvious symptoms of illness, lead poisoning in children can go undetected. That is particularly concerning given the damage it can cause to a child’s brain and nervous system,” said Senator Van Drew (D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic).
The second bill (S-1830), sponsored by Senator Rice and Senate Health Committee Chair Joseph F. Vitale, requiring the state to adopt the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards used as the benchmark for responsive action to lead levels in children’s blood, was approved in the Senate by a vote of 37-2. The CDC changed the reference level for response to lead levels in children from 10 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) to 5 micrograms per deciliter in January of 2012. New Jersey has not adopted regulations to update the blood lead levels from 10 µg/dL or greater to the new 5 µg/dL reference value for action.
“The CDC took action several years ago to lower the blood lead level content that requires a response by health care professionals to lead cases. New Jersey has not yet updated its lead levels for responsive action,” said Senator Rice. “Since we know the significant health consequences that can result from lead poisoning, it is imperative that New Jersey adopt the more aggressive standards to capture lead-affected children sooner and prevent the dire results that can occur.”
“Lead poisoning can lead to serious health problems that can affect children for the rest of their lives,” said Senator Vitale (D-Middlesex). “Implementing the CDC standards and adjusting the threshold for responsive action is the right thing to do. It will help to prevent the severe problems that can result from exposure to lead hazards. In addition, making certain that our state standards remain in line with CDC guidelines will ensure that over time the state is following the most current recommendations.”
The last bill (S-1937), sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner and Senator Rice, requiring municipalities to conduct lead paint inspections in single- and two-family dwellings and the reporting of inspection results to the State, was approved by the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee by a vote of 4-1. The bill is an effort to implement a program required by the law sponsored by Senator Turner and signed by Governor Jon Corzine in 2008 requiring inspections at many one- and two-family rental units to make sure they are lead-safe.
“There is no excuse for ignoring this issue and the fact that this law was never enforced in eight years is wrong and undoubtedly has proven detrimental to children in New Jersey,” said Senator Turner (D-Hunterdon/Mercer). “This is a health issue that should not be taken lightly. Homes that were built before 1978 and contain lead paint may be a health hazard.  We had 3,100 new cases of lead poisoning in 2015 and the state’s failure to broaden its inspection program to include single and two-family rentals may be the culprit.”
“Kids that are living in low-income, urban and rural areas are at the greatest risk of exposure to lead,” said Senator Rice.  “We have a moral obligation to ensure that our children are living in lead-safe and lead-free homes.  If we allow this dangerous hazard to continue, we are limiting the potential of thousands of children. We as lawmakers have to prioritize and make sure that we do not fail our youth. It is our responsibility to give them a healthy environment to grow up in.”
Lead poisoning can cause irreversible brain and nervous system damage and a lifetime of behavioral and learning problems, all with no obvious symptoms and all of which are preventable.
In 2015, there were more than 3,000 new cases of children under six with elevated levels of toxic lead reported in New Jersey. Since 2000, about 225,000 children in the state have been afflicted by lead, according to advocates. A higher percentage of children were found with elevated blood lead levels in Irvington, East Orange, Trenton, Newark, Paterson, Plainfield, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Atlantic City, East Brunswick and Passaic, and in Salem and Cumberland counties. The proportion of children in these communities is higher than those affected by lead in Flint, Michigan, according to advocacy groups.