All Illinois children will soon be eligible for covered blood tests for lead contamination under a new policy rolling out this week.
Beginning July 1, the Illinois Department of Public Health says all of the state’s ZIP codes will be covered under a state law that calls for precautionary testing to ensure children are not being harmed by exposure to lead at an early age.
Previously, state law had only covered children living in so-called “high-risk ZIP codes” for testing, but the new standard will now ensure all Illinois children can have automatic blood tests for lead exposure at 12 and 24 months of age.
“There is no safe level of lead in the blood,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra in a statement. “Through our Childhood Lead Program, IDPH has identified thousands of children who have been exposed to lead, allowing for early intervention to address negative health effects and implementation of efforts to limit further exposure. With this move to universal childhood blood lead testing, IDPH is taking another step towards protecting the health and safety of Illinois’ youngest residents.”
In addition to the blood tests for young children, all children age six and younger will be eligible for assessments for lead exposure through a questionnaire issued by a healthcare provider.
A blood test that comes back with a specific level of lead will initiate a public health intervention, which includes a home inspection to determine the source of the lead, according to the IDPH release. If lead is found, the inspector will work with the resident to remove that source.
According to the CDC, children are typically exposed to lead by ingesting lead paint chips, ingesting contaminated food or water, or by breathing in lead dust.
Children younger than six years old are especially susceptible since they’re more likely to put objects like toys into their mouths that may have lead dust on them.
More information can be found on the IDPH website.
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