Leading with Lead aims to minimize lead exposure risk in Camden through (1) community education, (2) neighborhood and home lead assessments, (3) water filter distribution, and (4) through plans to mitigate lead dust dangers in Camden's open spaces.
know the risks
Lead exposure is dangerous and poses serious health risks such as developmental, behavioral, and concentration issues. These risks are especially dangerous for children and pregnant women. They pose an immediate and lasting concern as these health issues can continue for a lifetime. There are three main ways people can be exposed to lead:
If you live in an older home, lead ingestion or inhalation by one of the three above examples is very likely. Prevention of lead exposure is crucial.
- Lead in water
- Lead paint
- Lead in soils
If you live in an older home, lead ingestion or inhalation by one of the three above examples is very likely. Prevention of lead exposure is crucial.
Here's what you can do:
To reduce lead exposure risk via water:
To reduce lead exposure risk by lead paint:
To reduce lead exposure risk through lead in soils:
- Let your faucet run for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using the water to cook or drinking it
- Use and regularly replace a water filter on your faucet or lead water pitcher
- Since lead is more soluble in hot water, use cold water from the faucet and heat it on the stove or in the microwave if you need to
To reduce lead exposure risk by lead paint:
- Wet-mop floors and horizontal surfaces to remove lead dust
- Wash children's hands that contact household dust
- Hire a professional to remove peeling or chipped lead-based paint
To reduce lead exposure risk through lead in soils:
- Wash children's hands that contact soil outside
- Teach children not to put their hands in their mouth when playing outside
- Wipe your feet on a door mat before going inside and take off your shoes for walking inside
- Check your soil's lead content before growing food for consumption in your yard
So you want to Gauge your risk...
Lead paint wasn't banned until 1978.
Lead pipes and plumbing were only banned in 1986.
Lead was used in gasoline which would settle in public spaces all the way through 1989.
If you live in an older home and if you or your children play in Camden's public spaces nearby major roadways, you and your family are at risk for lead exposure and should take the above steps to mitigate your exposure. To better understand your individual risk for lead exposure, resources are provided below to connect you with the people who work to measure and reduce lead exposure.
Lead pipes and plumbing were only banned in 1986.
Lead was used in gasoline which would settle in public spaces all the way through 1989.
If you live in an older home and if you or your children play in Camden's public spaces nearby major roadways, you and your family are at risk for lead exposure and should take the above steps to mitigate your exposure. To better understand your individual risk for lead exposure, resources are provided below to connect you with the people who work to measure and reduce lead exposure.
- For a free lead paint and soil testing, and other resources about lead contact Saint Joseph’s Carpenter Society at iporrata@sjcscamden.org or call 856-966-8117, ext. 225.
- Call a licensed plumber to check your plumbing for lead
- Contact EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act Hotline at 1-800-426-4791
- Free lead paint dust test kits are available at www.snjpc.org or call 888-722-2903
- The NRCS-NJ Soils Staff provides free technical assistance and soil assessments to community gardens in New Jersey; contact edwin.muniz@usda.gov or call (732) 537-6062 for more information.
- Rutgers University offers fee-for-service analysis of soil samples dropped off at their soil testing lab in New Brunswick; they can be contacted at 848-932-9295
More Information:
Lead Dust Abatement:
The final phase of the Leading with Lead program is to create concept designs which will reduce lead risk exposure in open spaces in East Camden. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to provide feedback!
American Water is dedicated to delivering safe, reliable drinking water to Camden residents.
While the water leaving the American Water facilities meets water quality standards for lead, the water might be picking up lead on its way to your tap due to the presence of lead pipes and fixtures. American Water has created fact sheets (linked below in English and Spanish) to explain how lead can come to be a concern in your drinking water.
While the water leaving the American Water facilities meets water quality standards for lead, the water might be picking up lead on its way to your tap due to the presence of lead pipes and fixtures. American Water has created fact sheets (linked below in English and Spanish) to explain how lead can come to be a concern in your drinking water.