Children across Illinois will soon be required to undergo blood lead testing, according to an announcement from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The new standard, effective July 1, 2026, through the IDPH’s Childhood Lead Program, will identify and provide health interventions for children who have been exposed to lead.
Why are all children getting tested for lead?
Previously Illinois lead testing requirements only applied to children living in “high-risk ZIP codes,” according to the IDPH.
The new standard is the result of a yearslong effort to expand the number of children tested.
“Through our Childhood Lead Program, IDPH has identified thousands of children who have been exposed to lead, allowing for early intervention to address negative health effects and implementation of efforts to limit further exposure,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in the announcement. “With this move to universal childhood blood lead testing, IDPH is taking another step towards protecting the health and safety of Illinois’ youngest residents.”
How will the new mandatory testing work?
Under the new standard, all Illinois children will be automatically tested at 12 and 24 months. All children six years and younger will be required to be assessed for lead exposure through a questionnaire administered by a health care provider.
What level of lead is considered too much?
Though Vohra warned, “There is no safe level of lead in the blood,” the IDPH said in its announcement that any blood tests with confirmed lead levels over 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) will require a public health intervention.
This will include a home inspection to determine and remove the source of the lead contamination, as well as an educational visit from a public health nurse.
What are the negative effects of lead exposure?
Lead exposure can lead to the following health effects, according to the IDPH:
What are common sources of lead?
Main sources of lead include the following, according to the IDPH:
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois to require lead testing for all children starting July 1
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Hannah Hudnall, Peoria Journal Star | USA TODAY Network
