Illinois expands lead exposure risk areas, adds 148 new ZIP codes [Video]

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Wednesday an expanded list of high-risk for lead exposure ZIP codes.

IDPH is recommending increased mandatory testing for lead exposure of children who live within those areas.

One hundred and forty-eight new zip codes, representing parts of 60 Illinois counties, have been added to the list this year, bringing the total of high-risk ZIP codes to almost 1,200.

The new expanded list can be found at: Pediatric Lead Poisoning High-Risk ZIP Code Areas (illinois.gov).

Under Illinois law, any child residing in a high-risk ZIP code is to be tested automatically at 12, 24, and 36 months. All children six years of age and younger are required to be assessed for lead exposure through the use of a questionnaire administered by a pediatrician. In addition, children who fall into other risk categories spelled out in the questionnaire are also tested, IDPH said in a news release.

High-risk ZIP codes are determined through an algorithm that assesses a number of different …