This past week Illinois observed Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.
Governor JB Pritzker has recently encouraged greater public awareness about the dangers of exposure to lead.
The main source of lead exposure is in lead-contaminated dust and lead-based paint. While lead paint was banned for use in Illinois in 1978, approximately 1.2 million homes may still contain come form of lead hazard.
Exposure to lead can lead to variety of health problems and children are at a greater risk.
In order to reduce the exposure and mitigate the effects of lead exposure the Illinois Department of Public Health has overseen a statewide lead-testing program in high-risk ZIP codes. The programs grows every year and is expected to lead to universal lead testing for young children by 2026.
Of more than 200,000 children tested, more than 3,200 were found to have elevated blood lead levels. These children have received case management services in order to identify and help remove sources of lead contamination.