New Jersey acts to protect children from lead hazards

Governor Murphy signed a major step in efforts to prevent childhood lead poisoning in New Jersey.

This legislation, passed on June 24, requires a proactive lead inspection process for rental properties built before 1978, closing a loophole that allowed all single family/two family rental units to go uninspected. Before today, thousands of kids were poisoned each year before lead was detected in a home – using kids as lead detectors. The new law will ensure that families know their home is lead-safe before they move in.

Governor Murphy signed the legislation today in Bloomfield, NJ.

“We are grateful for the support of Governor Murphy and his team, who are demonstrating their commitment to ending childhood lead poisoning,” says Isles’ CEO Sean Jackson. “Isles also appreciates the work and support of our partners, including the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey, Green and Healthy Homes Initiative, Advocates for Children of NJ, New Jersey Future, Lead Free New Jersey, Environment NJ, New Jersey Policy Perspective, Lead Safe Cleveland, and the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning (Rochester, NY).”

The costs and impacts of allowing the persistence of lead in paint and water affects all New Jerseyans. The costs associated with lead poisoning are immense - more than $62 million annually for NJ taxpayers. Lead poisoning drives higher special education costs, higher levels of juvenile crime and incarceration, increased high school dropouts, higher rates of unemployment, and a variety of health problems that lead to earlier retirement, enrollment in Medicaid, and even death. New studies have shown the long-term effects of lead exposure on heart and kidney disease and neurological issues for seniors, as well.