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: water
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-Harris Administration Issues Final Rule Requiring Replacement of Lead Pipes Within 10 Years, Announces $116M in Funding to New York to Provide Clean Water to Schools and Homes
EPA announces new final regulations and new funding under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda for clean drinking water New York – Today, October 8, the Biden-Harris Administration issued a final rule requiring drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI)… 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 »
ILLINOIS RECEIVES $240.9 MILLION FOR LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT
llinois is receiving nearly $241 million to identify and replace lead service lines, which connect water mains to people’s homes, the federal Environmental Protection Agency said last week. [Health News Illinois] The effort aims to prevent kids from being exposed to lead in drinking water. Lead can have serious health impacts, including irreversible harm to… 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 »
EPA sets first-ever national limits for ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
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 »
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 »