TRENTON – The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is making it easier for families to access critical childhood lead test results by expanding digital access through the Docket^® app and the myHealthNJ.com web portal. This new feature makes it easy for parents and guardians to see their child’s test results, supporting them to take necessary steps for early intervention and prevention.

Parents and guardians can view their child’s lead test results by downloading the Docket app (available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store) or visiting myHealthNJ.com.

“By putting kids’ test results directly into the hands of their parents and guardians, families are empowered to use their own data to advocate for their kids’ health and safety,” said Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston, MD, MSc, DFASAM. “There is no safe level of lead in the blood. The Department collects blood lead test results to inform our public health work, so we can reduce exposures and help get kids into care early to help our New Jersey communities thrive. At the end of the day, the data belongs to the people, and we are thrilled to continue to make families a more central part of our process.”

To view a child’s results and records, parents and guardians can sign in to Docket or myHealthNJ.com and add their child(ren) using their name, date of birth, or legal sex designation. The phone number or email address used to access the information must match what is on file with the New Jersey Immunization Information System (NJIIS). Step-by-step instructions for accessing blood lead test results are available here.

Lead exposure can have severe health consequences, particularly for young children. Lead poisoning can cause developmental delays, learning and behavioral problems, hearing loss, and speech delays. Long-term exposure may also damage the brain, nervous system, kidneys, and blood cells.

As lead poisoning primarily targets the central nervous system, children under six years of age are particularly vulnerable to its impact because their nervous systems are still developing. Children also tend to absorb a higher fraction of ingested lead than adults.

The Department urges families to "stay lead-free, test twice before three," a slogan coined for a campaign last year that raised awareness about lead testing and the dangers of lead poisoning. To protect children from the harmful effects of lead, New Jersey state law (N.J.A.C 8:51A) mandates that health care providers screen all children for lead exposure twice—at 12 months and 24 months of age. Children who were not previously screened at these ages must be tested at least once as soon as possible before their sixth birthday. Additional testing may be recommended based on significant known lead exposures.

While significant progress has been made in reducing lead exposures, children can still be exposed to lead through older homes with lead-based paint, contaminated water, soil, and certain imported products. Parents and caregivers can take the following precautions:

• Get your child tested – Lead poisoning often has no symptoms, making screening essential.
• Ensure lead-safe environments – If living in a home built before 1978, check for lead-based paint hazards.
• Maintain proper nutrition – Foods rich in calcium, iron, and vitamin C can help reduce lead absorption.

Insurance companies in New Jersey are required to cover blood lead testing for children under 17 years of age. Free testing is available from local health departments (LHDs) for children who are uninsured or underinsured.

NJDOH oversees all public health intervention activities related to actionable blood lead levels, as per N.J.A.C 8:51. When a child’s blood lead level meets or exceeds the threshold for public health intervention, LHDs conduct home visits to educate families on reducing lead exposure, coordinate follow-up testing and medical treatment, and connect families to social services. LHDs also identify lead hazards in the home and order lead hazard removal. In state fiscal year 2024 and 2025, NJDOH awarded $17 million to LHDs to support these vital public health efforts.

According to the CDC, the actionable level for childhood lead poisoning is a blood lead level of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL). This means that any child with a level at or above 3.5 µg/dL should be further evaluated and monitored for potential lead exposure and sources should be investigated to mitigate further exposure. 

Resources for Families and Health Care Providers:

• Docket / myHealthNJ.com Resources:  
  • Access to myHealthNJ Portal  
  • Instructions to Access Blood Lead Test Results 
  • Record Refresh Tip Sheet 
  • Troubleshooting Tip Sheet 
  • NJ Docket FAQs  
  • Docket on Apple App Store 
  • Docket on Google Play Store 
    
    
• NJDOH Resources:
  • Lead exposure prevention, testing, and educational materials
  • Resources for Parents and Providers on Childhood Lead (in English and Spanish)  
  • Locate your local health department
  • Drinking Water Facts: Lead in Drinking Water
  • NJIIS Record Update Request Form 
    
    
• New Jersey Poison Center:
  • Public or health care professionals concerned about lead poisoning exposure can call 1-800-222-1222.
    
    
• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection:
  • Lead in drinking water
  • Potential Lead Exposure Mapping in New Jersey
    
    
• New Jersey Department of Community Affairs:
  • Lead Remediation and Abatement Program
  • Information for tenants on regulations for lead-safe maintenance
  • List of NJ-certified lead abatement contractors
  • List of NJ-certified lead evaluation contractors

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The New Jersey Department of Health is a nationally accredited health department working to ensure that all New Jerseyans live long, healthy lives and reach their fullest potential. With more than 5,500 employees, the Department serves to protect the public’s health, promote healthy communities, and continue to improve the quality of health care in New Jersey.