MURPHY ADMINISTRATION RELEASES UPDATED POTENTIAL LEAD EXPOSURE MAPPING TOOL DURING NATIONAL LEAD POISONING PREVENTION WEEK

NEW LAYER IDENTIFIES WATER PROVIDER SERVICE LINE INVENTORIES

TRENTON - In recognition of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (Oct. 20-26), the New Jersey Departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Health (DOH) today released updates and additions to a statewide online mapping tool that uses publicly available data to indicate potential sources of lead exposure across the state.

The updates add a new map layer showing community water provider level service line inventories as an indicator of potential lead exposure from drinking water, in addition to the existing layers focused on lead paint in New Jersey's housing stock. A service line is the pipe that connects a property with a water provider's water main. Particularly in older homes and businesses, these lines may be made of lead or made with lead components.

The combined tool layers will help the public, local health officers, and community groups better understand where children and adults may be at risk for lead exposure across the state. Updates to the Potential Lead Exposure Mapping Tool or PLEMare partially funded through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control's Environmental Public Health Tracking Program, the same funding source used to develop the initial tool in 2021.

"Exposure to lead during pregnancy can have serious adverse effects on the developing fetus, leading to both low birth weight and impaired neurodevelopment, while also increasing the risk of premature birth and miscarriage," said First Lady Tammy Murphy. "It is critical that pregnant people or those planning to become pregnant in New Jersey are aware of possible lead sources in the environment."

Lead, a heavy metal found in the environment, was widely used in industrial processes and commercial products, ranging from paint, gasoline, cosmetics, pottery, and children's toys. People can also be exposed to lead through tainted spices and cultural remedies.

"Unfortunately, like many of our environmental threats, lead service lines are often in our most vulnerable communities - those that are economically disadvantaged or communities of color," said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. "These communities already bear the brunt of potential lead exposure from lead-based paints in their older homes, making them that much more likely to be exposed in their lifetime. As New Jersey's water providers continue making progress to address this important issue, now communities and health officials can see that progress readily and identify areas of potential exposure."

Lead can damage the brain and nervous system, kidneys, and blood cells. Children are especially vulnerable, as lead exposure can cause slowed growth and development as well as learning and behavioral problems, hearing loss, and speech delay.

"There is no safe blood lead level for children, as even low levels of lead can be harmful," said Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston, M.D. "By raising awareness, preventing lead exposure at its source, and with more testing, we can intervene earlier and get help faster to avoid the long-lasting impacts of lead poisoning. Especially during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, New Jerseyans are encouraged to review potential exposures and ensure young children receive timely blood lead screening testing."

The new water system layer is a visualization of data submitted to the DEP to date based on recent amendments to the New Jersey Safe Drinking Water Act. The Act requires community water providers to develop and submit initial inventories identifying service line materials in their distribution systems. Water providers are required to continue to update inventories annually through 2031, the deadline by which all lead service lines are to be replaced.

While the initial inventory data submitted is only available in the PLEM by water provider service areas, future updates to the tool will be more detailed and specific, such as looking at service lines by parcel or individual building level. Residents looking for the service line material serving their homes should contact their water provider.

Address-specific information for service line inventories must be published on a water provider's website if the provider serves a population greater than 3,300. That information must also be readily available to customers from water providers serving fewer than 3,300 people. The PLEM directs users how to obtain this information, based on information submitted by each water provider.

In addition to the new water providers service line inventory layer, much of the information discussing lead and its health impacts, and the steps State agencies are taking to address these problems, have been updated since the tool's previous release.

To learn more about lead in drinking water and tips to reduce potential drinking water lead exposure at home, visit nj.gov/health/ceohs/environmental-occupational/drinking-water-public-health/

To learn more about lead impacts on our health, visit nj.gov/health/childhood-lead/ For more information about the environmental lead exposure reduction, visit dep.nj.gov/lead/

The DEP's Our Water's Worth It campaign works to draw attention to the importance of clean water in our lives, from drinking water to supporting vibrant ecosystems and healthy places for recreation. An important focus of the campaign is educating the public on reducing potential lead exposure in drinking water.