68% children exposed to brain-damaging toxic chemicals in Chicago

 

A new study published Monday revealed how children in Chicago are exposed to the toxic and brain-damaging metal lead that may cause other developmental issues in children.

The research published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics revealed that in the study of eight years, a team from John Hopkins University conducted home tests in the area involving 38,000 people.

They revealed that the home water in 75% of houses is contaminated with brain-damaging metal.

The study also highlighted that 68% of children under six are exposed to this toxic lead in the Black and Hispanic majority neighbourhood.

The water system in Chicago is largely dominated by the lead services lines however, they were prohibited in 1986. According to an estimation from The Hill news report, an estimated 400,000 lead service lines are operating. Despite the replacement work, less than 300 have been replaced since 2020.

The Joe Biden government has suggested to replace the lead service lines from the US. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also issued a ruling in November urging the lines to be replaced within the year timeline.

Last year in July, the US Geological Survey (USGS) suggested in their study about the contamination of "forever chemicals," in nearly every household in the country.

These substances — perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl chemicals known as PFAS — are used in many household products such as cleaning, and non-sticky pans, and their exposure can be adverse for humans.

These substances are called forever chemicals because they are resistant to water and can last in the human bloodstream for years.