Alarming Levels of Lead Found in Chicago’s Tap Water
The study analyzed results from nearly 40,000 households participating in a voluntary tap-water test program run by the city. The results showed that more than two-thirds of the tests (69%) exceeded the minimum detectable level of lead, which is one part per billion. Based on this data, the researchers estimated that lead-contaminated water likely affects 75% of Chicago’s residential city blocks, potentially exposing 68% of children under 6 years old.
Racial Disparities in Lead Contamination Across Neighborhoods
The study revealed significant racial disparities in exposure to lead-contaminated drinking water. For every 10 percentage-point increase in Black and Hispanic families on a block, there were 4% and 11% respective increases in having lead-contaminated drinking water. Additionally, these communities had a 3% and 6% less chance that their water had been tested for lead compared to predominantly white neighborhoods.
Cognitive and Physical Impacts of Lead Exposure on Young Children
Exposure to lead in drinking water poses severe health risks, particularly for young children. Even low levels of lead exposure can result in reduced IQ scores, behavioral problems, and attention deficit disorders. Moreover, the study found that approximately 1 in 5 (19%) Chicago children exposed to lead drank unfiltered tap water as their primary water source, resulting in roughly double the amount of lead in their blood compared to unexposed children.