Why Is This Important?

While all children in New Jersey are at risk of exposure to lead, children who reside in homes build prior to 1950 are at highest risk for elevated blood lead due to the potential presence of leaded paint. In addition, children living in homes constructed prior to 1980 are at risk due to the fact that use of lead-based paint for residential homes was not discontinued until 1980. Major sources of lead exposure to children are: peeling or deteriorated leaded paint; lead-contaminated dust created by renovation or removal of lead-containing paint; and lead contamination brought home by adults who work in an occupation that involves lead, or who engage in a hobby where lead is used. Children are more vulnerable to lead poisoning than adults. The first six years of life are the time when the brain grows the fastest, and when the critical connections in the brain and nervous system that control thought, learning, hearing, movement, behavior and emotions are formed. The normal behavior of very young children (crawling, exploring, teething, and putting objects in their mouth) exposes young children to lead that is present in their environment.

Definition

Percent of housing units built before 1950 or before 1980

Data Source

How the Measure is Calculated

• Numerator:

  Estimated number of housing units built before 1950

• Denominator:

  Number of residential housing units in a geographic area

Data Issues

Related Health Objectives and Indicators

Related Relevant Population Characteristics Indicators:

• Poverty among Children Under Five Years of Age
• Elevated Blood Lead Level among Children Under 3 Years of Age
• Childhood Lead Testing Coverage

Related Health Status Outcomes Indicators:

• Mean Blood Lead Levels among Children
• Blood Lead Levels among Children

Health Topic Pages Related to: Housing Age

• Child and Adolescent Health
• Demographics and Social Determinants of Health
• Environmental Exposures