Illinois leads the nation in the number of lead-poisoned children.

That’s not an indictment or one of those campaign commercials blaming one political candidate or another for the problem. That’s just plain fact.

And in Kane County, it’s a serious problem, as well. Outside of Cook County, Kane County has the highest rate of childhood lead poisoning in the state. Based on the 2012-2016 Community Health Improvement Plan, nearly 1,500 children in Kane are documented to have elevated blood lead levels and need to have their homes evaluated for lead hazards and have the lead hazards reduced or eliminated.

That’s why, once a year, Kane County takes time out to remind folks of the dangers during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.

Nearly half a million children living in the United States have elevated blood lead levels that may cause significant damage to their health. But maybe the most positive and important thing to remember is that lead poisoning is entirely preventable.

The key is stopping children from coming into contact with lead and treating children who have been poisoned by lead.

To show their support, 19 Kane County hardware stores are providing information in English and Spanish on the dangers of lead poisoning this week. This year’s National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week theme — Lead-Free Kids
for a Healthy Future — underscores the importance of testing your home, testing your child, and learning how to prevent lead poisoning’s serious health effects.

Elevated lead rates are caused primarily from breathing in contaminated dust from old lead-based paint in homes built before 1978. Secondary sources of lead poisoning come from cooking with leaded pottery and eating lead-based paint chips. In 2010, 21,095 Illinois children were identified with elevated blood lead levels of 6 micrograms per deciliter or higher. Lead poisoning has no obvious signs or symptoms.  Children who are poisoned may complain of stomachaches, decreased appetite, sleeping problems and hyperactivity.

What You Can Do About It

There are a number of programs available to assist Kane County families with lead-based paint hazards.  Both homeowners and renters are eligible, but must meet certain income requirements (i.e. household income for a family of four cannot exceed $60,650). Work is based on the results of a risk assessment and is performed by lead-licensed contractors.

The Kane County Health Department has a Childhood Lead Prevention Program to report, track, and refer children with high blood levels for treatment. The program also provides education to individuals and the community, to help raise awareness of the causes of childhood lead poisoning.

Parents can reduce a child’s exposure to lead in many ways. Here are some simple things you can do to help protect your family:

• Get your Home Tested. Before you buy an older home, ask for a lead inspection.
• Get your Child Tested. Even if your young children seem healthy, ask your doctor to test them for lead.

To help us connect you to the appropriate resources, please email Tom Schlueter at scluetertom@co.kane.il.us. Be sure to include your name, address, phone number, and whether you rent or own your home.

For more information, visit the Kane County Health Department webpage.