Dear Residents,

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is expanding a program that tests pregnant people and newborn babies for lead and mercury, two metals that can be harmful to health. The program is now being offered at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, with plans to expand to more hospitals in the future.

These screenings help doctors find dangerous exposures early, even before symptoms appear. This allows families and healthcare providers to take quick action to reduce risks and protect both the mother and baby.

Exposure to lead and mercury during pregnancy can cause serious health problems. For pregnant people, this may include high blood pressure, kidney damage, and hormone problems. For babies, exposure can lead to brain damage, learning difficulties, early birth, birth defects, or even death.

The screening is simple. It uses one extra teaspoon of blood during routine prenatal visits and at delivery. If high levels of lead or mercury are found, families receive education, medical care, and support from the hospital, local health departments, and state programs.

This program has already been successful. Since 2019, more than 27,000 tests have been done at University Hospital in Newark. Results showed that 13% of babies had harmful lead levels and 60% had harmful mercury levels. Babies exposed to these metals were more likely to need intensive care, showing how important early testing can be.

State leaders say this program helps improve health outcomes and reduce disparities, especially for families who may face higher environmental risks. The goal is for lead and mercury screening to become a standard part of prenatal and newborn care across New Jersey.

NJDOH plans to continue expanding this program to reach more families and help ensure healthier pregnancies and safer starts for New Jersey’s babies.

Source: https://www.nj.gov/health/news/2025/approved/20251211a.shtml

Take care,

NWBRHC Staff