In the Fall of 2007, the Department undertook a field investigation into lead paint poisoning in five New Jersey cities- Camden, East Orange, Irvington, Newark, and Trenton- that together account for 31% of all lead poisoned children in the State.  The addresses that were field tested were all ones in which at least one child had been previously poisoned.  Approximately one third of the addresses had also undergone a previous abatement.  In light of these two factors—prior poisonings and previous abatements—the results of our investigation were particularly disturbing: 82% of the residences tested had extremely elevated levels of lead-contaminated dust. 

Based on these findings, the Department asked the subject cities and others to enter into an agreement to become a Model Lead-Safe City. Click on the appropriate link above to learn more about the cities that have entered the model lead-safe city agreement, and their efforts.