The New Jersey Department of Health’s campaign Stay Lead Free, Test Twice Before 3 raises awareness for the state’s blood screening law. During fiscal year 2022, according to the latest “Childhood Lead Exposure in New Jersey” report, 78% of 3-year-olds in New Jersey received at least one blood lead test. That was up from the 72% of children of that age who were tested during the previous fiscal year. The New Jersey fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.

In children, lead poisoning can lead to lowered intelligence, hyperactivity, attention deficits, developmental problems and decreased hearing. Using a standard blood lead reference value of 5 micrograms per decileter, 2,848 children under 6 years of age had elevated levels of lead in their systems in during the 2022 fiscal year.

“No level of lead is acceptable, so timely screening is essential to connecting children with care and families with abatement and remediation tools,” said Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston. “By raising awareness and with more testing, we can intervene earlier and children can get help faster to avoid the long-lasting impacts of lead poisoning.”