Several Chicago-area suburbs have been labeled 'high-risk' for lead poisoning in children, health officials said Thursday.
The Illinois Health Department said 180 new ZIP codes were added to a list of locations where testing for lead exposure in children is"mandatory." Several Chicago-area suburbs have been labeled"high-risk" for lead poisoning in children, health officials said Thursday.
The Illinois Health Department said 180 new ZIP codes were added to a list of locations where testing for lead exposure in children is"mandatory."Under Illinois law, any child residing in a high-risk ZIP code must be tested automatically at both 12 and 24 months, the department reported. "All children 6 years of age and younger are required to be assessed for lead exposure by a healthcare provider. Children who fall into other risk categories are also tested," health officials said in an alert. Health officials noted that lead exposure can lead to"damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and developmental, behavioral and learning difficulties, and more." It can be found in a variety of places, but is commonly discovered in walls and windowsills of older homes, drinking water, soil and some consumer products. "There is no safe level of lead in the blood," IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a statement."Early detection and intervention are critical tools to help protect Illinois’s kids from the serious health and developmental challenges caused from lead exposure.” The newly added ZIP codes include several in Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, among others.Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the news you need to know with the Chicago Catch-Up newsletter."We remain deeply committed to addressing pediatric lead poisoning," Michael Isaacson, Kane County Health Department executive director, said in a statement."Lead exposure continues to pose serious risks to a child’s development and long-term health. It's critical that we adhere to state lead testing requirements not only in the high-risk ZIP codes, but across Kane County. We strongly encourage parents and healthcare providers to prioritize lead screening for children under the age of 6 and to act quickly if exposure is identified. Preventing lead poisoning and intervening early are important steps in safeguarding the health of our children."Preventive measures parents can take at home include"frequent handwashing, removing shoes upon entering your home, providing nutritious meals, keeping floors clean, and avoiding planting a vegetable garden in soil around older homes," according to health officials.
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