Illinois Home Safety: Universal Lead Screening Now Active

Illinois families with young children now face a routine blood test for lead, a change that took effect in July. The Illinois Department of Public Health is marking National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week through Saturday to remind residents of the ongoing risks in older housing stock.

Dr. Sameer Vohra, the director of the IDPH, described universal lead testing as an essential tool for identifying exposed children. He emphasized that preventing exposure is just as critical as detecting it. The agency aims to keep children safe by urging homeowners to identify and remove lead sources before they cause harm.

According to the department, hundreds of Illinois children are diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels every month. High exposure can lead to developmental and learning disabilities. The most frequent source of this exposure is lead-based paint, which was commonly used in homes built before 1978.

Children often encounter lead by swallowing or breathing dust from cracked or peeling paint. They may also chew on paint chips or windowsills coated with lead paint. The IDPH estimates that more than a million homes in the state could contain these hazardous materials.

Lead is not limited to paint. It can also enter the home through drinking water via lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. The department advises residents to test their water and run cold taps for several minutes in the morning before using the water for drinking or cooking. Using only cold water for cooking helps avoid potential lead contamination from hot water lines.

Homeowners can take specific steps to reduce exposure. These include cleaning up paint chips, washing floors and windowsills weekly with soap and water, and removing shoes at the door to prevent tracking in dust. During renovations, workers should wet painted surfaces before scraping to control dust and keep children and pregnant women out of the work area until it is thoroughly cleaned.

The IDPH also runs a program to help homeowners replace windows and remediate lead sources in qualified homes. The Comprehensive Lead Education, Reduction, and Window Replacement program assists with reducing lead paint and plumbing hazards. Families can check eligibility and application details on the department's website at dph.illinois.gov.