Department of Health

Pursue Medicaid reimbursement for lead abatement services.

Create awareness through state-sponsored programs to developers, contractors, retailers, health care providers and directly to families about the health risks of cooking with gas stoves including that cooking with gas is associated with childhood asthma and that people with gas cooking stoves can reduce pollution by reducing use, ventilating and switching to electric stoves.

Quickly move forward with implementation of new law (P.L.2021, c.182) that requires landlords to obtain lead-safe certificates before units are rented.

Train community health workers and designated home visitors for newborns who work with families in the principles of healthy, lead-free homes. Require health workers to conduct a healthy homes assessment in client homes and make referrals to lead services as needed.

Improve New Jersey’s Annual Lead Surveillance Report by continuing to enhance new online mapping tool that helps residents identify lead exposure risks in housing by adding lead exposure from other sources, such as leaded gasoline or pesticide-contaminated soil, and maps of Elevated Blood Lead levels per jurisdiction at the smallest geographic unit possible to protect privacy of affected children and families.

Set timetable for Whole House program review and begin expansion, which will deliver integrated lead (paint, water and soil), health, safety and weatherization improvements for homes in New Jersey’s most vulnerable communities. Include inspections to review potential exposures to household air pollution generated by cooking with gas and other options for funding to address any structural issues with homes that often defer weatherization or energy efficiency steps.

Adopt a policy to support reusable items, such as coffee cups and food containers brought into a store or restaurant for the purpose of filling an order, are safe to use.