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 »
Posts Tagged: lead
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 »
Chicago receives $336M federal loan to replace portion of lead water lines
Loan will cover replacement of just 7 percent of Chicago’s more than 400,000 lead pipes Chicago will receive a $336 million loan to replace up to 30,000 lead pipes across the city, according to an announcement made on Friday by city, state and local leaders. Chicago contains the most lead service lines in the country,… Read more »
Activists Rally for the Removal of lead pipes in Chicago and strong EPA rules: ‘It’s a harsh reality we’re facing daily’
When Sukky Bleck’s infant son was diagnosed last year with bilateral hydronephrosis, a condition preventing urine from draining from the kidney into the bladder, she started questioning herself. [Chicago Tribune] “Was it something I did? What did I do wrong? How can I fix it,” the 27-year-old Southeast Side resident said. Bleck said she soon… Read more »
350 Chicago households will get free water testing kits for lead as part of Northwestern study
Some Chicago-area residents will be able to test the water quality in their homes as part of a Northwestern study that will begin providing free test kits later this year. [Chicago Tribune] Awarded a $3 million federal grant, researchers plan to phase in testing over several years in 350 households, where residents will be able to… Read more »