Protecting
more children from lead poisoning came closer to reality Thursday after
the state Senate voted to provide $10 million to the state's depleted
lead health fund following an Asbury Park Press investigation.
The Senate voted 28-9 to approve the bill (S-1279) to help restore New Jersey's long-drained Lead Hazard Control Assistance Fund. The fund was created in 2004 to curb lead paint hazards in homes, relocate families with lead-poisoned children, promote public education and training and support other public health activities.
The Senate voted 28-9 to approve the bill (S-1279) to help restore New Jersey's long-drained Lead Hazard Control Assistance Fund. The fund was created in 2004 to curb lead paint hazards in homes, relocate families with lead-poisoned children, promote public education and training and support other public health activities.
The Assembly and governor still need to approve the measure for it to be added to the state budget.
"It
sounds very good, very encouraging and very helpful for our most
vulnerable population in the state," said David A. Henry, health officer
at Monmouth County Regional Health Commission No. 1, which covers 21
towns.
"This bill will go to help families, primarily,
and then secondarily it should be of some good use to local health
departments as well in regard to paying for ... certifying the lead
(testing) equipment," said Henry, who is legislative chair of the New
Jersey Association of County and City Health Officials. The group
supports the lead fund bill.
Since
2000, more than 220,000 young kids in New Jersey have had high levels
of lead, a potent poison that can cause a lifetime of learning and
behavioral problems, according to state data obtained exclusively by the
Press. But since 2004, state leaders diverted more than $50 million
from efforts to prevent lead poisoning, the Press found in an
investigative story published in January.
The diversions —
to help pay state bills — took place under Gov. Chris Christie and
other governors. The $10 million would go into lead fund in fiscal 2015,
which ends on Tuesday. The Department of Community Affairs oversees the
fund.
The
$10 million bill is sponsored by state Sen. Ronald L. Rice, D-Essex,
Sen. Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, Sen. Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, and
Sen. Brian P. Stack, D-Hudson.
Three years ago, the
Senate voted (24-9) to approve legislation (S-2128) that would have
pumped $10 million into the lead fund. But the bill died in the Assembly
Environment and Solid Waste Committee.
Lead
poisoning is fully preventable. Sources of lead, a highly toxic metal
that damages the brain, include deteriorating lead paint, contaminated
dust and soil, tainted water, home remedies, toys, cosmetics and even
some Mexican candies, according to experts.
Lead
poisoning can cause numerous health and other problems. It can lead to
anti-social behavior and underemployment — even prison time, experts
say. Impoverished, largely minority children who live in older homes and
rentals in urban areas are typically at greatest risk from lead.
Each
year, the lead fund is supposed to get $7 million to $14 million in tax
revenues from the sales of paint and other coatings. But the fund got
the minimum due in only one year — 2006 — and Christie's administration
has not provided any paint tax proceeds since 2011, according to the
state Office of Legislative Services, an arm of the Legislature.
Henry,
of Monmouth County Regional Health Commission No. 1, said "we will
continue to keep a watchful eye as (the) bill goes to the next step in
the process."
Source:http://www.app.com