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Children's Cabinet Working To Address State Lead Poisoning

Flickr User Lamiot/ CC 3.0

The Governor’s Cabinet on Children and Youth is working to prevent lead poisoning. 

Illinois has one of the highest rates of lead levels in children.  State Public Health Director Nirav Shah says addressing the problem will require a multifaceted approach.  

"We want to make sure we're screening... children who are at high risk for led, zeroing on the source of the issue, and then making sure we're connecting those children not only with the clinical care they need, but also with the social services to make sure that the effects of lead aren't felt."

Shah says the largest source of lead poisoning is lead paint.  Exposed children are vulnerable to developmental delays and learning disabilities.