The Biden administration on Wednesday set the first-ever national limits for toxic and pervasive ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water. [The Hill] The administration’s action seeks to reduce the amount of chemicals belonging to a class known as PFAS in drinking water. These substances, which have been used to make waterproof and nonstick products, have seeped into a… Read more »
Posts Categorized: News
Durbin, Duckworth call on MCOs to address lead poisoning risk for children
Illinois’ two Democratic senators have called on Medicaid managed care organizations to do more to address lead poisoning risks to children in Chicago. [Health News Illinois] Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin urged the heads of the state’s five MCOs to take presumptive preventive action to protect children. That includes sending drinking water test kits,… Read more »
Lead in the drinking water is still a problem in the U.S. — especially in Chicago
In Chicago, about 400,000 homes still get their tap water through lead service lines — pipes that connect individual homes to the main water line. [NPR-WBEZ] And nearly 70% of young children are getting exposed to lead from their home tap water, according to recent estimates published in JAMA Pediatrics. The study also finds that Black and Hispanic neighborhoods are more likely… Read more »
EPA seeking input on lead exposure from lead wheel weights
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking the public for information on the potential ways in which people might be exposed to lead through the use of wheel weights. Lead exposure can have devastating impacts to human health and can be especially harmful to developing children. [Green Car Congress] The Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) requests information… Read more »
Lead in water a threat to two-thirds of young children in Chicago
Two out of three very young children in Chicago were exposed to at least trace amounts of lead in their home tap water, a study found, highlighting the need for City Hall to speed up replacements of brain-damaging lead pipes. [Chicago Sun-Times] A study by Johns Hopkins and Stanford researchers, published Monday in the medical… Read more »
FDA recalls 6 more cinnamon products due to elevated lead levels
The agency is urging U.S. cinnamon makers and distributors to conduct more product control testing in the wake of recent lead contamination outbreaks. Manufacturing Dive Joelle Anselmo Staff Reporter
Illinois moves to limit toxic forever chemicals in wells
Illinois is moving to join 10 other states that limit toxic forever chemicals in underground sources of water. [Chicago Tribune 3.9.2024] Regulations unveiled Wednesday by the Illinois Pollution Control Board are intended to protect millions of people from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS, some of which build up in human blood, cause cancer and other diseases… Read more »
Cook County Partners with Elevate to Provide Free Whole-Home Upgrades to Cook County Families
Healthy Homes for Healthy Families supports suburban Cook County families by providing free safety, energy efficiency, water conservation and whole-home upgrades Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined the County’s Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES), Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) and nonprofit Elevate today to announce the launch of Healthy Homes for… Read more »
Lead pipes, child care centers, foot dragging a dangerous mix for Chicago’s children
Home day cares, mostly on Chicago’s South and West sides, are prioritized by the city for lead pipe replacements, but future funding is murky. The children at Ruby Williams’ home day care in Austin have been drinking bottled water for years. Williams wasn’t sure if there were any issues with the tap water in her… Read more »
How to speed up replacement of toxic lead pipes
With Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration projecting it will take 40 years and up to $12 billion to replace toxic lead water pipes throughout the city, aldermen are pressing for changes to speed up the work while driving down costs. On Tuesday a pair City Council committees heard from water officials in Cincinnati and Newark, New Jersey, two… Read more »