Lead Poisoning Awareness
Peoria County has one of the highest lead poisoning rates in the State of Illinois. Exposure to lead paint can have many harmful effects to pregnant women and to children. Lead paint can be found in older homes on windows, siding, and doors.
Lead Poisoning
- Lead is a heavy metal that does not degrade over time.
- There are no benefits to having lead in the human body. A normal lead level is 0.
- In Peoria County 1 in 20 children tested have a high lead level; that number is several times the national average.
- The amount of lead needed to poison our system is 1/100 of a sugar packet.
- Lead poisoning is a silent disease. Even children who appear healthy can have dangerous levels of lead in their bodies.
- Most homes built before 1978 contain lead based paint.
- The most common source of lead poisoning today is dust from lead based paint that has deteriorated or been disturbed while remodeling.
Lead poisoning can cause:
- Lower IQ
- Behavior and learning problems
- Delinquent behaviors
- Slowed growth
- Hearing problems
- Kidney problems
- Seizures and death
Get your children tested for lead poisoning through the Lead Screening Program for children and see if your home qualifies for the Lead Hazard Removal Program.
Lead Screening Program for Children: 309/679-6068
Contact your child's doctor or call 679-6068 to schedule a lead screening
Children should be tested for lead poisoning at 9-12 months of age and again at 18-24 months of age. Contact your doctor or the Peoria City/County Health Department at 679-6068. Lead tests are free for any child age 6 months to 6 years enrolled in Medicaid or WIC; the cost is $20 for children not enrolled in these programs.
Lead hazards are especially bad for children up to age 3 because they put their hands and other objects that may be coated with lead dust into their mouths.
Lead Recall Information
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission page
Illinois Department of Public Health's Children's Product Safety page
Lead Information Links:
The following links provide information on lead testing, health effects of lead, and information for parents, homeowners and building trades workers wishing to make older homes safe for children:
- Center For Disease Control Lead Information
- Environmental Protection Agency Lead Information
- Center For Healthy Housing Lead Information
- HUD Lead Information
- Illinois Lead Program Annual Surveillance Report 2009
- Lead Safe Gardening Information
Lead Hazard Removal Program: 309/679-6612
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Special funding is available from the Peoria County Board for lead hazard (lead paint) removal on homes and rentals. Examples of lead hazard removal include homes build prior to 1978 for replacement of windows, doors, or siding that contains lead paint. Target homes are those with a pregnant woman or a home with a child who tested positive for lead. More…
Get your children tested for lead poisoning through the Lead Screening Program for children and see if your home qualifies for the Lead Hazard Removal Program.