Pallone Requests Immediate Response from Christie Administration on Lead Prevention Efforts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06), who serves as the top Democrat of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, led his colleagues in sending a letter to Cathleen Bennett, Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health, following up on a February 22, 2016 request for information on the department’s role in preventing childhood lead poisoning. The Members of Congress requested responses from New Jersey and six other states by March 14, 2016. New Jersey is one of only two states that have not yet responded.

The initial letter asked for more information on the federal funding that New Jersey receives to help detect dangerous levels of lead in communities. The funds, awarded to states by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are meant to assist public health authorities in identifying high risk areas and implementing interventions as needed. Pallone asked for information on exactly how these funds are used and if additional resources are needed to combat this serious public health challenge.

“It shouldn’t take a tragedy like Flint to remind us of the serious risks posed by lead right here in New Jersey,” said Pallone. “Exposure to lead has lifelong and irreversible effects on our children, and we can’t let a preventable crisis harm an entire generation. We need to ensure that New Jersey has the resources it needs to combat this public health challenge, and that it is using federal dollars effectively to protect our communities. I hope to see a sense of urgency from the Department of Health in responding to our request and in dealing with the underlying issues.”

Recent news reports have shown that 11 New Jersey cities and two counties have a significant proportion of children testing for unsafe blood lead levels. It has also been reported that 30 schools in Newark found lead levels as high as 35 times above the federal action limit. According to the most recent CDC data, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Illinois, and Massachusetts have the highest reported numbers of children with blood lead levels at or above 5 micrograms per deciliter.

Earlier this year, Pallone testified before the New Jersey Senate Committee on Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens on the alarming rates of children affected by lead poisoning throughout the state. He has also sent letters to the New Jersey Department of Health and New Jersey Department of Human Services raising questions about the management of a program to provide lead poisoning screenings for pregnant women, children, and uninsured adults in counties impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

In February Pallone introduced the AQUA Act, which significantly increases water infrastructure funding authorization so local communities can repair and replace their aging water systems to help ensure residents have access to clean and safe drinking water.

Full text of the letter follows:

June 6, 2016

Ms. Cathleen Bennett

Acting Commissioner

New Jersey Department of Health

P.O. Box 360

Trenton, NJ 08625

Dear Ms. Bennett:

We write to follow up with you regarding our February 22, 2016 request for information on the New Jersey Department of Health’s (NJDH) role in preventing childhood lead poisoning. We requested a response to our letter by March 14, 2016. To date, we have not received any of the requested information, nor any explanation for the substantial delay.

As you are likely aware, we initially sent letters to states that have the highest number of children with elevated blood lead levels according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Because New Jersey is one of those states, we contacted you to request documents and information related to your department’s childhood lead poisoning prevention and surveillance efforts. New Jersey is one of only two states that have not responded to our March letters.

NJDH is responsible for coordinating the State’s childhood lead poisoning prevention and surveillance efforts and receives federal funds in furtherance of these goals. As the committee of jurisdiction over federal funding for these programs, it is critically important that we understand how states receiving those funds are conducting their blood lead level surveillance programs. It is particularly important that we receive data from your department, in light of news reports that 11 New Jersey cities and two counties have a significant proportion of children testing for unsafe blood lead levels, as well as recent reports that 30 schools in Newark found lead levels as high as 35 times above the federal action limit. In fact, these cities have a higher proportion of young children with dangerous lead levels than Flint, Michigan.

Although the crisis in Flint, Michigan has focused recent attention on this issue, it is clear that childhood lead poisoning as a result of ingesting contaminated drinking water is not unique to Flint. Dr. Richard J. Jackson, former director of the National Center for Environmental Health at CDC noted, “Lead in Flint is the tip of the iceberg. … Flint is a teachable moment for America.” Congress banned lead water pipes 30 years ago, but between 3.3 and 10 million older pipes remain in use throughout the country. In the last 15 years, a number of cities have reported unsafe levels of lead in their drinking water. In addition to lead in the water supply, some four million children in the United States live in homes that have lead-based paint that can result in lead poisoning. Low-income and minority children are disproportionately affected by these conditions. According to the most recent CDC data, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey have the highest reported numbers of children with blood lead levels at or above 5 micrograms per deciliter.

Your department’s lack of response to our request hinders the Committee’s oversight of state efforts to prevent lead poisoning in children. Elevated blood lead levels in children is a serious issue.

This issue requires your immediate attention. As Congress weighs appropriate solutions to the public health crisis posed by lead water pipes and the remnants of lead-based paint, it is imperative that states provide relevant data and information on surveillance and prevention efforts. Please provide the documents and information requested in our original letter as soon as possible, and by no later than June 20, 2016.

If you have any questions about this request, please contact Elizabeth Letter with the Democratic Staff at (202) 225-3641.

Sincerely,

cc: Valeria Harr, Director

Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services