The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has added 148 new zip codes to the list of high-risk areas for lead exposure, increasing the mandatory testing of children who live in these areas. The total number of high-risk zip codes is now almost 1,200.
“There is no safe level of lead in the blood,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “To better serve our children and build brighter futures for all of our residents, IDPH is acting to ensure that more children have access to the testing and interventions necessary to decrease the potential serious physical and developmental health concerns linked to lead exposure.”
Under Illinois law, any child living in a high-risk ZIP code is to be tested automatically at 12 and 24 months. Children six years of age and younger are required to be assessed for lead exposure through a questionnaire administered by a pediatrician. Children who fall into other risk categories spelled out in the questionnaire are also tested.
High-risk ZIP codes are determined through an algorithm that assesses a number of different risk factors. The department has been expanding that list of ZIP codes gradually and expects to implement universal testing for lead exposure across all Illinois ZIP codes by 2026. The new expanded list, which took effect July 1, 2024, can be found at: Pediatric Lead Poisoning High-Risk ZIP Code Areas (illinois.gov).
Under current Illinois law, blood tests with lead levels in excess of five micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) require a public health intervention. This means a home inspection to determine the source of the lead contamination. If lead is found, the inspector will work with the homeowner to remove the sources of lead. In addition, there will also be a visit from a public health nurse who will educate the family on ways to protect children from the harmful effects of lead.
The newly added ZIP codes come from the following Illinois counties: