Add another potential risk to the list of public-health concerns in the aftermath of Sandy: About 6 percent of children tested in seven Sandy-affected New Jersey counties have elevated levels of lead in their blood.

A representative of the Ocean County Health Department said the same storm surges that washed up boats, washing machines and other trash into yards could also have deposited trace amounts of lead.

Another possible source: Residents demolishing homes built prior to 1978 could have exposed long covered-over lead paint, or huge piles of debris from destroyed housing could have included materials containing lead.

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