"Tougher N.J. Law Targets Kids' Lead Paint Threat"

"Christie signs law lowering amount of toxic metal allowed in kids' blood before a homeowner must take action."

"More landlords and other homeowners likely will be forced to remove lead paint from their properties under a law signed by Governor Christie on Monday designed to limit children’s exposure to the toxic metal.

The law requires local health boards to determine lead contamination in a home occupied by a child whose blood tests show at least 5 micrograms of lead per deciliter — a standard recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New Jersey’s threshold had been 10 micrograms per deciliter.

'This is a huge step in addressing the lead problem in this state,' said Elyse Pivnick, a director at Isles Inc., a Trenton-based community and environmental advocacy group that pushed for stronger lead laws. 'More children will be caught at a much lower level and at an earlier age because we know lead accumulates over time in blood.'"

Scott Fallon reports for the Bergen Record February 6, 2017.