How many children are lead poisoned in New Jersey each year?
According to the most recent report from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, 4,048 (2.4%) of children younger than six tested in New Jersey in fiscal year 2005 (July 1, 2004, to June 30, 2005) had a blood lead test result at or above the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) poisoning level of 10 micrograms per deciliter of blood (µg/dL). Many more children may be lead poisoned, but simply are not tested. The lead problem in New Jersey is severe; however, the problem is not uniform across the state. In FY 2005, Irvington (7.85%); East Orange (7.29%); Newark (6.45%); Trenton (6.10%); Paterson (5.05%); and Camden (3.63%) had large percentages of children under six years old with blood lead levels above 10 µg/dL, the CDC level of concern for lead poisoning. The numbers must also be understood in the context of evolving standards of what constitutes “lead poisoning.” While New Jersey regulations currently require medical follow-up for all children with blood
