More stringent standards for public health intervention based on blood lead levels in children are among the new public health laws and rules that took effect this month. [Health News Illinois] A new regulation requires children residing in a high-risk ZIP code to be automatically tested at 12, 24 and 36 months. Children younger than 6 years… Read more »
Posts Tagged: schools
EPA watchdog: Underserving Florida getting millions for lead pipe replacement while Illinois, other states have bigger needs
Florida is on track to collect nearly $1 billion in federal funds it doesn’t deserve to replace toxic lead pipes, according to a government watchdog report that concludes Illinois and a handful of other states should get the money instead. [Chicago Tribune] By most accounts, Illinois leads the nation in the number of lead service lines… Read more »
EPA Imposes Stricter Standards to Protect Kids From Lead Paint Exposure
Two weeks after setting a nationwide deadline for removal of lead pipesopens in a new tab or window, the Biden administration is imposing strict new limits on dust from lead-based paint in older homes and childcare facilities. [MedPage Today] A final rule announced Thursday by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets limits on lead dust on floors… Read more »
Biden EPA requires Chicago to dramatically speed up replacement of toxic lead pipes
Chicago must replace every toxic lead pipe connecting homes to water mains within two decades — an aggressive deadline imposed this week by President Joe Biden after his administration initially proposed giving city officials twice as long to complete the job. The more stringent requirement is part of a broader package of changes in federal regulations intended… Read more »
Illinois expands lead exposure risk areas, adds 148 new ZIP codes
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced [ July 3, 2024] Wednesday an expanded list of high-risk for lead exposure ZIP codes. [IL-DPH and WGN] IDPH is recommending increased mandatory testing for lead exposure of children who live within those areas. One hundred and forty-eight new zip codes, representing parts of 60 Illinois counties, have… Read more »
Durbin, Garcia propose update to national lead prevention measures
Two of Illinois’ federal lawmakers want to update national regulations related to lead poisoning. [Health News Illinois] The plan, proposed by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, D-Chicago, would require the Department of Housing and Urban Development to use risk assessments for low-income housing built before 1978 before a family moves into… Read more »
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 »
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