Introduction to Lead Poisoning in Illinois
Many Illinois ZIP codes have been added to a state health department list that requires children be tested for lead exposure. The Illinois Department of Public Health added 180 ZIP codes across 47 counties, roughly 13% of the state, to the list on July 1. Every Chicago ZIP code appears on the list.
Affected Areas
Some of the newly added ZIP codes are in Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. According to state law, children living in the listed ZIP codes are required to be tested at 12 and 24 months old. Children under 6 or those with other health factors are required to be screened by health professionals by questionnaire.
Health Risks of Lead Exposure
Lead is especially harmful to children with developing brains and can cause a number of serious health conditions in adults. Lead can damage the brain and nervous system, as well as cause slowed growth and developmental, behavioral and learning difficulties.
State Response and Goals
About 96% of the state is on the list, with the department hoping to expand mandatory testing statewide next year. “There is no safe level of lead in the blood,” state health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a statement. “Early detection and intervention are critical tools to help protect Illinois’ kids from the serious health and developmental challenges caused from lead exposure.”
Preventive Measures
Filters rated to remove lead, labeled NSF/ANSI Standard 53, and particulates, labeled NSF/ANSI Standard 42, can help reduce exposure, according to the state health department. Boiling water does not remove lead. Residents can also get their water tested and clean their sink screens, among other preventive measures.
Research and National Context
Researchers at Johns Hopkins and Stanford universities last year estimated 129,000 children in the city, or 68% of those ages 5 or younger, had lead in their home drinking water. In Illinois, which has more than 11% of the nation’s lead service lines, people of color are up to twice as likely as white people to live in a community burdened by lead service lines, according to the Metropolitan Planning Council.
Replacement of Lead Service Lines
The Biden-era U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandated all water systems across the country begin replacing lead service lines by 2027. But Chicago is set to fall 30 years behind that timeline in replacing its 412,000 lead service lines — more than any other city in the country — according to the city’s replacement plan, submitted to the Illinois EPA in April and obtained by WBEZ through a public records request last month. The city aims to complete 8,300 replacements annually for 50 years, wrapping up in 2076.
Conclusion
The addition of 180 ZIP codes to the list of areas requiring lead testing for children highlights the ongoing issue of lead exposure in Illinois. With the state aiming to expand mandatory testing statewide and the city working to replace lead service lines, efforts are being made to address this critical health concern. However, the scope of the problem and the timeline for solutions underscore the need for continued vigilance and action to protect the health and well-being of Illinois’ children.
FAQs
Q: Why are children in certain ZIP codes required to be tested for lead exposure?
A: Children in these areas are at a higher risk due to the presence of lead in their environment, and testing is mandatory to ensure early detection and intervention.
Q: How can residents reduce their exposure to lead?
A: Residents can use filters rated to remove lead, get their water tested, and clean their sink screens, among other measures.
Q: What is the timeline for replacing lead service lines in Chicago?
A: The city plans to complete 8,300 replacements annually for 50 years, with the goal of finishing in 2076.
Q: What percentage of children in Chicago are estimated to have lead in their home drinking water?
A: Researchers estimate that 68% of children ages 5 or younger have lead in their home drinking water.
Q: What is the state’s goal for lead testing?
A: The state hopes to expand mandatory testing statewide next year, covering nearly all of Illinois.
