Comprehensive lead exposure vulnerability for New Jersey: Insights from a Multi-Criteria risk assessment and community impact analysis framework

• We developed two comprehensive lead exposure indices for New Jersey municipalities. • Lead exposure risks in New Jersey are mapped at municipal level. • Spatial analysis applied to understand lead exposure risk and community characteristics. • The study discussed actionable insights for policymakers to prioritize lead mitigation. • We emphasized the importance of combining empirical data with expert knowledge. Lead contamination remains a persistent and insidious threat, particularly affecting young children and vulnerable communities. This study aims to develop a comprehensive sources-based lead exposure index map for New Jersey municipalities by integrating diverse lead contamination data, including lead-based paint, lead service lines, proximity to superfund and brownfield sites, road density, and gas stations, analyzing how municipality socioeconomic and land use factors impact lead exposure. The research employs Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to create two distinct multi-criteria lead exposure indices. The indices are mapped to understand the spatial distribution and magnitude of lead exposure risks and are further examined through spatial regression models to explore the relationship between lead exposure and community characteristics. Both indices identified high lead exposure risk areas in the northeastern region of New Jersey, an area that is historically heavily industrialized. Regression results indicate a significant correlation between lead exposure and socioeconomic factors, particularly in areas with higher concentration of ethnic minority populations. Though other factors exhibit varied relationships with the indices, the study highlights the importance of combining empirical data with expert knowledge to develop effective lead mitigation strategies. By identifying lead exposure hotspots and understanding their underlying causes, the findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and public health officials to prioritize interventions and allocate resources effectively, ultimately aiming to reduce the adverse health effects of lead exposure in New Jersey.