Lead is considered a toxic substance under this new language. Addition of “exposure to a toxic substance” to the list of medical conditions that typically result in developmental delay.
The law’s benefit has the potential to reach the almost 3,000 birth to three-year-old infants and toddlers who are lead-poisoned in Illinois each year. The amendatory language is simple and straightforward. With this in mind, Legal Council for Health Justice led the charge in Illinois to secure increased access to essential early childhood supports and services for lead-exposed children. Studies have consistently shown that even low levels of lead exposure can lead to decreased cognitive, physical and social emotional capacities (see table 1 below).Įffectively linking children with elevated BLLs to critical services, such as IDEA Part C Early Intervention (available in all 50 states), early on in their exposure can be essential to reducing the impact lead has on their health and development, as the timing maximizes the efficacy of developmental intervention. No safe level of human exposure to lead exists, and the harmful impacts of childhood lead exposure can have significant and enduring consequences through adolescence and into adulthood. Lead is a known neurotoxin proven to amplify the risk of developmental delays, behavioral problems, and learning disabilities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are nearly half a million children ages 1-5 in the United States with blood lead levels (BLL) above 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) - the reference value recommended by the CDC for initiation of public health actions, which typically consists of a nurse home visit and an environmental inspection. Lead poisoning is the most pervasive environmental health hazard affecting children.
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