The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has added Wayne County, along with Hamilton, Richland, and Jefferson counties, to its list of areas requiring mandatory lead exposure testing for children.
Under Illinois law, children living in high-risk ZIP code areas must undergo lead testing at 12 and 24 months of age. Additionally, all children aged six and under must be assessed for lead exposure using a standardized questionnaire conducted by their healthcare provider.
The determination of high-risk ZIP codes is made through an IDPH algorithm that evaluates various environmental and housing-related risk factors. As of July 1, 47 new counties, including Wayne, have been added to this list.
According to IDPH guidelines, any blood test revealing lead levels higher than 3.5 micrograms per deciliter triggers a public health response. In such cases, an inspector will help identify the source of the contamination—often from older paint, plumbing, or soil—and work with homeowners to eliminate the exposure risk.
Health officials emphasize that lead exposure is especially dangerous for young children, potentially causing damage to the brain and nervous system, as well as slowed growth and development.
Local families are encouraged to speak with their pediatrician or primary care provider to ensure their child receives appropriate testing and assessment.
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