Lead exposure continues to be a concern in Newark, but the city has taken strong steps to address it. This year’s Kids Count report, released by the nonprofit Advocates for Children of New Jersey, shows that those efforts are working. The levels of lead in children’s blood consistently decreased between 2015 and 2019.
In recent years, Newark’s water system saw record high levels of lead, leading Mayor Ras Baraka to launch the replacement of 23,000 lead service water lines around the city. The greatest risk of lead exposure for children continues to come from lead paint and dust in their homes.
