Dangers of Lead: Overcoming Fear to Protect Your Family's Health

Written by Alessandro Villarreal; Pictures by Danner Fernandez Lead poisoning, a danger once thought diminished with the phase-out of leaded gasoline, continues to pose a significant threat, especially prevalent in older housing, like that found throughout cities such as Paterson. While the nationwide reduction in lead exposure decades ago is strongly linked to the dramatic fall in violent crime rates that began in the 1990s, the legacy of lead paint remains a present danger. This danger disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including young children (especially babies), pregnant women, and the elderly, potentially causing irreversible harm such as neurological damage, lung cancer, and infertility.

While lead poses a serious health threat, fear —especially concerning immigration status—stops many residents, particularly within immigrant communities, from using available resources. The primary concern is that applying for help might expose their personal information or immigration status to government agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This fear, potentially heightened by recent budget cuts affecting community aid programs, can prevent families from addressing potentially hazardous conditions in their homes.

To understand the local situation and the resources available, Visions spoke with Danner Joshua Fernandez, a PCCC student who also works with the United States Latino Affairs Initiatives (USLAI), an agency partnering with Passaic County residents to combat lead hazards.

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Conversation with USLAI

Visions: Thanks for speaking with us, Joshua. Can you explain the program USLAI offers and where your funding comes from?

Joshua: We offer a lead control program. If we verify lead in a home after testing, we initiate a process to clean everything with lead – and the best part is, we cover all the costs. This is possible because we partner with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), which provides us with a nearly $2 million grant specifically for this work in Passaic County only. Our agency initially grew by helping the Latino community, as they often live in the older, pre-1978 housing where lead paint is prevalent, but we help everyone eligible in the county, regardless of ethnicity or background – we've assisted Muslims, Russians, Americans, people from India, all types.

What is the DCA? The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is a state agency focused on providing support, financial aid, and technical assistance to local governments and community organizations. Its mission centers on community development and support, not immigration enforcement.

Visions: A major concern we hear, especially among immigrants, is whether applying for this kind of help could affect their immigration status. Is their information shared with agencies like ICE?

Joshua: That's an excellent question, and it's a fear we hear often. The simple answer is no. The DCA is a New Jersey state agency, completely separate from federal immigration agencies like ICE. The DCA's role is the opposite of enforcement – it's to integrate and support communities, including all immigrants, regardless of status. They don't have the authority or mandate to enforce immigration laws or share information for that purpose. Many people think we might be involved with the 'bad' government, so to speak, but we're not. All information shared is confidential and stays between the applicant, USLAI, and the DCA for the sole purpose of providing help.

Visions: What are the requirements to apply? Specifically, what if someone is an undocumented immigrant and doesn't have a Social Security number? Can they still get help?

Joshua: Yes, absolutely. We need income verification because there are limits based on household size, though most applicants fall within these limits. We also need identity verification. While a Social Security number is often used, we understand that not everyone has one due to their documentation situation. For those individuals, we have another specific form they can fill out. This allows them to apply safely and proves their identity without requiring documents they may not have. Lacking certain documents does not prevent people from getting this free help. We also need permission forms signed: one allowing us entry to test and clean, and one from the homeowner if the applicant is renting.

Visions: You mentioned renters. Who typically uses this program in Passaic County?

Joshua: It's mostly renters, maybe 7 out of 10 applicants. The program benefits both – the renter gets a safe home, and the landlord avoids the high cost of remediation because we cover it completely. Most cases we see are, unfortunately, Latinos living in Paterson, often in older rented homes.

Landlord Awareness & Benefit: It's important to note landlords aren't necessarily aware of or at fault for lead paint, as awareness isn't widespread, and testing isn't always required before renting, unlike in stricter cities like Clifton. This program actually helps landlords by covering costly repairs, removing two problems (lead hazard and repair cost) at once.

Visions: What happens if someone has been exposed to high levels of lead?

Joshua: If tests show lead levels in the blood exceed a certain threshold (around 6%), the situation requires immediate action. In those cases, the program can provide temporary relocation or lodging, free of charge, while the home is being remediated, to stop further exposure. Damage can be reversible up to a point if exposure stops.

Exposure Duration Matters: "Many of us have likely been exposed to lead at some point," Joshua explained, "but the duration is key. Passing through a place with lead for a day is very different from sleeping in a house with lead every night. Long-term, constant exposure is where the serious health risks accumulate".

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Conclusion

The danger of lead paint in older homes, particularly in Passaic County cities like Paterson, is real, with potentially devastating long-term health consequences. As noted during our interview, "It's a very silent poison". While fear surrounding immigration status is understandable, programs like the one offered by USLAI in partnership with the DCA are designed to be safe, confidential, and free resources for all eligible residents. Getting your home tested, especially if it was built before 1978 and you have young children, is crucial. This free program covers the costs of testing and remediation, protecting families' health without financial burden or immigration risk.

For more information or to apply for help, Passaic County residents can contact the USLAI office at office@uslatinoaffairs.org. You can also reach Danner Joshua Fernandez directly at his agency phone number: 551-223-4924.