QCA counties considered high risk for lead exposure

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has expanded its list of high-risk ZIP codes and increasing mandatory testing for lead exposure of children who live within those areas. This year, 148 new zip codes, representing sections of 60 Illinois counties, have been added to the list. That brings the total of high-risk ZIP codes to almost 1,200. Dozens of these ZIP codes are in the QCA.

“There is no safe level of lead in the blood,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “To better serve our children and build brighter futures for all of our residents, IDPH is acting to ensure that more children have access to the testing and interventions necessary to decrease the potential serious physical and developmental health concerns linked to lead exposure.”

Under Illinois law, any child living in a high-risk ZIP code must be tested automatically at 12 and 24 months of age. All children six years of age and younger must be assessed for lead exposure through a questionnaire administered by a pediatrician. High-risk ZIP codes are determined using an algorithm that assesses different risk factors. The department has been expanding that list of ZIP codes gradually and expects to implement universal testing for lead exposure across all Illinois ZIP codes by 2026.

Under current Illinois law, blood tests that come back with lead levels over five micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) require a public health intervention. The intervention includes a home inspection to find the source of the lead contamination. If lead is found, the inspector will work with the homeowner to remove the sources. A public health nurse will teach families how to protect children from the harmful effects of lead.

These area communities have been added to the high-risk ZIP code list:

Bureau

• Any ZIP codes that start with 613

Carroll

• 61014 – Chadwick
• 61046 – Lanark
• 61051 – Milledgeville/Elkhorn Grove
• 61053 – Mount Carroll/Center Hill
• 61074 – Savanna
• 61078 – Shannon
• 61285 – Thomson

Henderson

• Any ZIP codes that start with 614

Henry

• 61234 – Annawan
• 61233 – Andover
• 61235 – Atkinson
• 61238 – Cambridge
• 61241 – Colona/Cleveland
• 61254 – Geneseo
• 61258 – Hooppole
• 61262 – Lynn Center
• 61273 – Orion
• 61274 – Osco
• Any ZIP codes that start with 614

Jo Daviess

• 61001 – Apple River
• 61025 – East Dubuque/Menominee
• 61028 – Elizabeth
• 61036 – Galena
• 61041 – Hanover
• 61059 – Nora
• 61075 – Scales Mount/Council Hill
• 61085 – Stockton
• 61087 – Warren

Knox

• 61401 – Galesburg
• 61402 – Galesburg
• 61410 – Abingdon
• 61414 – Altona
• 61430 – East Galesburg
• 61436 – Gilson/DeLong
• 61439 – Henderson
• 61448 – Knoxville
• 61458 – Maquon
• 61467 – Oneida
• 61472 – Rio
• 61474 – St. Augustine
• 61485 – Victoria
• 61488 – Wataga
• 61489 – Williamsfield/Truro
• 61572 – Yates City

Mercer

• Any ZIP codes that start with 612
• Any ZIP codes that start with 614

Rock Island

• 61201 – Rock Island
• 61236 – Barstow
• 61237 – Buffalo Prairie
• 61239 – Carbon Cliff
• 61242 – Cordova
• 61244 – East Moline
• 61256 – Hampton
• 61257 – Hillsdale
• 61259 – Illinois City
• 61264 – Milan
• 61265 – Moline
• 61266 – Moline
• 61278 – Rapids City
• 61279 – Reynolds
• 61282 – Silvis

Whiteside

• Any ZIP codes that start with 610
• 61230 – Albany
• 61243 – Deer Grove/Hahnaman
• 61250 – Erie
• 61251 – Fenton
• 61252 – Fulton
• 61261 – Lyndon
• 61270 – Morrison
• 61277 – Prophetstown/Aliceville
• 61283 – Tampico

Click here for more on lead testing in Illinois.

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