Health
New Pilot Program to Bring Childhood Lead Testing to Six South Side Neighborhoods
(James Ebanks / iStock)
A new pilot program aims to bring childhood lead testing directly to communities on the South Side, the Chicago Department of Public Health announced Monday.
Testing events will be held at daycares, schools, libraries, places of worship and community organizations over the next two years across six neighborhoods — Englewood, West Englewood, South Chicago, Greater Grand Crossing, Auburn Gresham and New City – where a significant number of children ages 1 through 3 have not been tested for lead, according to the health department.
The department requires testing children’s blood lead levels at ages 1, 2 and 3.
“By bringing lead testing into the neighborhoods where families live, learn and gather, we can help remove barriers to screening and connect more children with the follow-up care and resources they need,” CDPH Commissioner Dr. Garth Walker said in a statement.
The two-year pilot program is a collaboration with CDPH and Prism Health and United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. Prism Health operates the mobile testing units.
Early testing is a key component to preventing lead poisoning in children, according to health officials.
Lead exposure can harm children’s intellectual development, attention, behavior and academic achievement, even at low levels, according to CDPH. Children can often be exposed through deteriorating lead-based paint and dust, especially in older homes, according to the department.
Other sources include contaminated soil, certain imported goods, jewelry and pottery.
“As the father of a two-year-old, I think about how easily children can come into contact with lead,” Prism Health President Zul Kapadia said in a statement. “Their hands touch floors and windowsills before going straight into their mouths. Lead dust can expose a child without them ever knowingly eating anything containing lead.”
The testing is free for families, with no bill, copay or out-of-pocket costs, according to a news release. For children who are insured, Prism Health will bill the insurance plan directly and families will not receive a bill, according to a news release.
Families can find locations and register here. Walk-ins are welcomed.
The announcement of the pilot program coincides with National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, observed during the last week of October.
Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]
