Shocking levels of toxic lead in Chicago tap water
Shocking levels of toxic lead in Chicago tap water
Perhaps you’ve read the recent article in The Guardian regarding the shocking levels of lead found in Chicago’s drinking water. The article was based on data from results of water tests conducted for Chicago residents between 2016 and 2021. And while much of the data has been publicly available for years, Chicago itself has never released an analysis of the results.
Chicago has an estimated 400,000 water connections made of lead, more than any other city in the nation. The analysis conducted by Safe Water Engineering in partnership with Erin McCormick, Aliya Uteova, and Taylor Moore from The Guardian, found that nine of the top 10 zip codes with the largest percentages of high-level lead test results were in neighborhoods with mostly Black and Latino residents. About one in three tests had lead levels above 5 ppb, a level at which certified lead reducing filters could provide immediate relief to residents with lead in their water.
While the history of lead pipes in Chicago can be traced back more than eight decades, city officials are still dragging their feet on their plans to remove the lead pipes. The city projects a need of $8 billion to replace the pipes but cost data from other cities indicate that number might be closer to $2.5 billion.
What does this all mean?
As I’ve mentioned before, lead water service lines belong in history books. Numerous studies have shown that, even at low levels, lead can leave an indelible impact on young children and adults. Once in the blood, lead can cross the blood-brain barrier and affect the nervous system. It has been linked to slowed growth and development, lower IQ levels, behavioral disorders, and underperformance in school. If you are living in Chicago or another area where lead service lines have been identified, or you are not sure, here are some resources to help you identify and mitigate further risk of lead in drinking water exposure:
As mentioned in my interview on Afternoons with Egonmwan and Buchanan, WVON AM 1690 -Chicago, we must bring this issue to the forefront of every community leader, decision maker and every local and state elected official and government agency, much like these 15 U.S. senators. The message is clear: It’s time to get the lead service lines out because there is no safe level of lead in drinking water!
Even mainstream movies know that lead service lines have much better uses than delivering drinking water to homes in Chicago.
Photo: A more appropriate use of a lead service line, featured in the movie Thunder Force in 2021.