News Update - February 2009

Study Links Lead Levels and SAT Scores

A study to be published this winter in the journal Environmental Research suggests that the fall and rise of the average SAT math and verbal scores and variation in the prevalence of mental retardation between 1953 and 2003 can be closely tracked to the fall of blood lead levels.  The author of the study, economist Rick Nevin, controlled for a number of factors that would depress scores. In his conclusion Nevin asserts that lead paint hazards in one's home is the greatest risk for childhood lead poisoning in the United States and that a simple window replacement strategy would yield lead hazard reduction benefits plus energy savings from efficient windows that far exceed window placement costs.  Read the study. Read Lead Safe Illinois' stimulus package proposal involving window replacement.

Lead Poisoning in Chicago: A Historical Perspective

The fight against lead poisoning of Chicago children dates back to the 1960s. In the following video early advocates describe their efforts and the challenges they faced.

RECENT RESOURCES

Lead in Toys: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides resource information to help parents and families protect their children in response to recent recalls of milliions of toys and lead exposure warnings from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Childhood Lead Poisoning Resource Guide for Parents and Advocates is available now. Click here to view.

Photos of kids, and alley

Illinois leads the nation in the number of children identified as lead poisoned—more than 16,000 in 2002 alone.

The Illinois Department of Public Health estimates that more than 81,000 children are being harmed by lead, based on recent research regarding the impact of lead on children's development.

Lead poisoning in children can cause irreversible brain damage, and even at very low levels can lead to:

  • Learning disabilities, such as speech and language disorders.
  • Behavioral problems, such as aggression and hyperactivity.
  • Delinquency and criminal behavior.
  • Lead poisoning is entirely preventable

For more information about lead poisoning statistics, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Chicago Department of Public Health.