Childhood Lead Poisoning

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Childhood Lead Poisoning
An important new Illinois Law will help protect
children from lead
Illinois Lead Safe Housing Task Force Loyola
University Chicago ChildLaw Center
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Lead Poisoning

• Potentially devastating and entirely
• Chicago has the
• largest number
• of lead poisoned children
• in the U.S.
• Children most at risk are those residing in
  pre-1978 homes.

PREVENTABLE
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Lead poisoning can

• Reduce intelligence
• Shorten attention span
• Affect childrens behavior

THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOT REVERSIBLE
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Sources of Lead

• Lead paint chips and dust
• Some candy and toys
• Some jewelry
• Some pottery
• Soil
• Water Pipes

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New Illinois Law

• Lead Poisoning Prevention Act of 2006
• Passed in June 2006

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What does the new law do?

• Requires that products children use, eat, or wear
  be LEAD SAFE
• Raises public awareness about the dangers of lead
  by requiring that more information be available
  for parents and consumers
• Places new responsibilities on professionals and
  organizations.

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Requirements under new law for

• LANDLORDS
• CHILD CARE CENTERS
• HARDWARE STORES
• ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

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Landlords

• Required to post a sign in the common areas of
  the building if a child has been poisoned in one
  of the units.

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Child Care Centers

• Required to distribute lead poisoning information
  to parents of the children enrolled in the center.

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Hardware Stores

• Required to post signs about lead safe work
  practices if they sell paint removal products.

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Illinois Department of Public Health

• Amount of lead that triggers a required
  inspection in units and common areas when a child
  under three years has been poisoned is lower than
  in previous law.

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What YOU Can Do

• Keep children away from window sills with peeling
  or chipping paint
• Encourage children to play in grassy areas
• Clean with a wet sponge, mop, or paper towel to
  eliminate lead dust.

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What YOU can do

• When purchasing a product for a child, ask the
  store employee if the product contains lead.

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What YOU Can Do

• Wash your childs hands
• Before eating
• After playing outside
• Before naptime and bedtime
• GET YOUR CHILD TESTED

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For More Information Regarding Lead Poisoning

• Call (312) 747- LEAD (5323)
• or
• Visit www.leadsafeillinois.org

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To join the campaign to eliminate childhood lead
poisoning Call [phone] Or Visit
www.leadsafeillinois.org/