Children living in certain areas in Kane County, including ZIP codes in Aurora and Elgin, are at a higher risk for lead exposure, officials say.
In July, the Illinois Department of Public Health released a list of high-risk ZIP codes where testing for lead exposure in children residing there is mandatory, according to a news release from the Kane County Health Department.
Those ZIP codes in Kane County are: 60109, 60110, 60120, 60121, 60123, 60144, 60151, 60505, 60506 and 60507, officials said in the release.
Under state law, all children living within high-risk ZIP codes are required to be tested for lead exposure when they reach 12 months and 24 months old, officials said. All children under 6 years old are also required to be checked for lead exposure by a pediatrician, the release said.
“Lead exposure can have lifelong effects on a child’s development and overall health,” Kane County Health Department Executive Director Michael Isaacson said, according to the release. “With several ZIP codes in Kane County identified as high-risk, it is essential that we follow the state’s lead testing mandates to ensure the safety and well-being of our children.
“We urge parents and health care providers to prioritize lead screening for children, especially those under 6 years old, and to take immediate action if exposure is detected.”
Lead can be found in many places, such as the walls and windowsills of older homes, drinking water, soil and even some products, officials said in the release.
No level of lead in the body is considered safe, especially for young children, according to the release. It said that the bodies and brains of babies and young children are growing rapidly, and exposure to lead can cause growth issues, learning disabilities, hearing loss, speech issues and memory deficits.
At home preventative measures against lead exposure include frequent handwashing, removing shoes upon entering your home, serving nutritious meals, cleaning floors and avoiding vegetable gardening in soil around older homes, officials said in the release.
The latest episode of the Kane County HealthTalk podcast has more information about ways parents can reduce the risk of childhood lead poisoning, the release stated. The podcast can be found at: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kchdpodcast
More information about the Kane County Health Department’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, along with resources for families, homeowners, tenants and contractors, can be found at kanehealth.com/Pages/Lead.aspx
The full list of pediatric lead poisoning high-risk ZIP codes can be found at dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/lead-poisoning-prevention/families-of-lead-exposed-children/pediatric-highrisk-zip-codes.html
