Childhood lead poisoning prevention is vital across the globe, and especially in a state like New Jersey where exposure is a major risk due to our large number of older homes and pipes. Lead and other toxins are common in older homes, drinking water (older pipes), some household goods, and even toys. Exposure to lead and other harmful toxins during pregnancy or early in a child’s life can have a lifelong impact on development and can cause developmental delays, hearing loss, nervous system damage, and more.
At the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey, our Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention & Healthy Homes team works every day to educate New Jersey families on the risks of lead exposure and how to prevent it. Their goal is to eliminate childhood lead poisoning and to keep homes healthy and safe. In honor of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, held annually during the last full week of October, we spoke with our Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention & Healthy Homes Program Supervisor, Victoria Lopes, to learn more about childhood lead poisoning and how her team is helping to prevent it.
Q. Why is childhood lead poisoning prevention so important?
A. Childhood lead poisoning is preventable, but exposure can have lasting effects on a child’s health, learning, and development. Prevention allows us to identify potential lead hazards early and help families create safer, healthier environments before exposure occurs.
Q. What is something you wish all families knew about lead poisoning and prevention?
A. I wish more families knew that children can be exposed to lead without showing obvious symptoms. Knowing potential sources of lead in the home and talking with your child’s healthcare provider about lead testing are important steps families can take to protect their children.
Q. What is a Healthy Homes kit and how can families get them?
A. Our Healthy Homes kits provide families with educational materials and practical items that can help support a safer and healthier home environment. Families can receive these resources through our community outreach events, educational programs, and partnerships with organizations throughout the communities we serve.
Q. What progress has been made in childhood lead poisoning prevention in New Jersey? What progress do you want to see in the future?
A. New Jersey has continued to strengthen childhood lead poisoning prevention through increased education, testing, community outreach, and efforts to identify lead hazards before they harm children. Moving forward, I would like to see even greater awareness among families and stronger collaboration across healthcare, housing, and community organizations so that prevention becomes the priority rather than responding after exposure has already occurred.
Q. Are you working on any exciting projects or initiatives?
A. Yes! Our team continues to expand community education and outreach efforts throughout northern New Jersey, including partnerships with schools, childcare centers, healthcare providers, and community organizations. National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is especially exciting because it gives us an opportunity to bring partners together and reach even more families with prevention education and resources.
Q. How can families or advocates get connected with Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention?
A. Families and community advocates can connect with our Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program through our educational events, community partnerships, and outreach activities throughout northern New Jersey. We also encourage organizations interested in hosting an educational session or partnering on lead and healthy homes initiatives to reach out to our team. To schedule a presentation or discuss concerns about your child’s exposure to toxins, give us a call at 973-268-2280.
Q. Is there anything else you’d like to share?
A. One of the most important messages to emphasize is that lead poisoning prevention is a shared effort. Families, healthcare providers, schools, property owners, and community organizations all have a role in identifying potential hazards, sharing reliable information, and helping ensure that children have safe and healthy places to grow.
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Progress
Though progress remains needed to prevent lead exposure and poisoning, New Jersey has made meaningful strides, including the lead-screening mandate signed by former Governor Murphy in January. Mandated maternal lead screening for pregnant patients detects risks early to prevent complications like preeclampsia and preterm birth. This early intervention can identify exposure during a crucial period, so families can access the resources they need to reduce exposure and keep their children healthy.
At the Partnership, our Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention team is advancing poisoning prevention efforts by working with local health departments, childcare centers, parents, and community organizations to provide free lead poisoning prevention education and healthy homes kits. They also host quarterly meetings for the Northern Regional Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention & Healthy Homes Coalition, which brings together organizations, public health professionals, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and advocates to work to decrease lead exposure and increase access to non-lead paint sources, help families take steps to prevent lead poisoning, and help families and homeowners maintain healthy and safe homes. To schedule a presentation, join the Northern Regional Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention & Healthy Homes Coalition, or discuss concerns about your child’s toxin exposure, call us at 973-268-2280.
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week Events
Throughout October, our Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention team will post educational videos and tips and host multiple community events to share important information that promotes lead-safe homes and healthier communities across Northern New Jersey.
We hope you’ll join us at one of our upcoming National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week events. Together, we can raise awareness, prevent lead exposure, and help keep our communities lead-safe.
Lead Awareness Event – Union County
In partnership with the Union County Office of Health Management
Thursday, October 22 | 4:30–7:30 PM
Elizabeth Public Library Auditorium, 11 South Broad Street, Elizabeth
Lead Poisoning Prevention Resource Fair – Passaic County
In partnership with the Paterson LRAP Program
Monday, October 26 | 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Paterson Alliance, 470 Chamberlain Ave., Suite 12, Paterson
Strong Families, Lead-Free Lives Health Fair – Hudson County
In partnership with Skyway Family Success Center
Tuesday, October 27 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Skyway Family Success Center, 35 Journal Sq, Suite #501, Jersey City
Victoria Lopes serves as Program Supervisor for our Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention & Healthy Homes team. She works with healthcare partners, county coalitions, and state agencies to implement scalable prevention initiatives, focusing on performance monitoring and continuous improvement. Victoria is pursuing a Master of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Health Systems Administration. She also serves as a Youth Advisory Board Member with the Organization for Latino Health Advocacy (OLHA), where she brings a systems-level and policy-informed perspective to health equity and advocacy efforts.