Illinois Has One Of The Highest Rates Of Lead Poisoning In Kids

According to ABC7Chicago.com, Illinois has one of the highest rates in the nation of children poisoned by lead. Its been in the news for over two years with Flint Michigan being in the middle of it all. Undrinkable water that lead to lots of health problems. There is some good news though, new rules in Illinois could help children and their families get more assistance.

Caitlin Szontagh, has two children that have been battling lead poisoning since 2016. The cause has been attributed to lead paint in a home that they used to rent. After the children's exposure, the landlord said she resolved the matter but never admitted liability. The Illinois Department of health has released new rules that will make it easier to identify children that are suffering from Lead poisoning. They do it by testing for lead levels but now the testing levels have been lowered to 5 micrograms per deciliter. After all the CDC says that no level of lead is safe in humans.

The lower level alert will mean more resources will be provided to those that have been exposed. Like ongoing screenings, education and home inspections which is key with all of the lead paint that was used in the past. In 2017, 7,000 children tested positive under the new threshold level of 5 micrograms per deciliter. The new rules become effective soon