Study from Johns Hopkins highlights the need to get the lead out in Chicago

There is no safe level of lead in our drinking water, but a new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that in Chicago, 68% of children younger than six years old are exposed to lead-contaminated drinking water. Lead is highly toxic and especially damaging to children — impairing how they learn, grow and behave. Lead exposure can contribute to health consequences including cardiovascular and neurological complications, chronic kidney disease, and developmental deficits. 

Families shouldn’t have to worry about the water they’re drinking from the tap, but Chicago still has lead service lines in our water system. In fact, Chicago has the most lead service lines of any U.S. city. For the health of our children it is critical that we replace the old lead pipes as quickly as possible and take actions like installing, testing and maintaining filters certified to remove lead on all taps used for drinking or cooking in our schools. It’s time to get the lead out.