New Jersey Urges Parents to Check Children's Lead Screening

New Jersey health officials are urging parents to check whether their children are up to date on blood lead screening, using National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week to draw attention to testing and household hazards. The Department of Health's Oct. 29 reminder highlights existing screening requirements and available help, rather than announcing a new statewide outbreak or a new childhood testing mandate.

The state requires blood lead screening at 12 months and 24 months, with testing before age 6 when those early tests were missed. The department says young children are especially vulnerable to lead exposure and that symptoms may not be obvious. A blood test helps identify exposure that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Lead hazards can come from deteriorating lead-based paint, particularly in homes built before 1978, as well as contaminated soil, plumbing and some imported goods. Health officials recommend keeping homes clean and dust-free, washing hands, leaving shoes at the door and using certified professionals for work involving possible lead paint. Peeling paint alone does not establish whether a surface contains lead.

The department said it recently awarded $15 million for state fiscal year 2027 to support public-health partners. The money is intended for screening, nurse case management, environmental investigations, education, prevention and training. Local health departments can help families arrange follow-up testing and address hazards when a child's results show elevated lead levels.

Families can ask their child's healthcare provider about testing. New Jersey requires insurers to cover lead screening for children younger than 17, according to the department, while local health departments offer free testing for uninsured or underinsured children. Federally qualified health centers may also provide testing based on eligibility. Parents can check results through the Docket app or myHealthNJ.com.

Officials also pointed homeowners and tenants toward the Department of Community Affairs' lead-assistance programs for eligible properties. The reminder is part of the Oct. 25-31 prevention week and encourages families to review both testing records and potential sources of exposure before a problem causes lasting harm.