Two-thirds of young children in Chicago are exposed to dangerous lead levels in water, study finds

More than two-thirds of children under the age of 6 in Chicago may be exposed to lead-contaminated water, according to a recent study. The study analyzed lead exposure based on household lead tests collected by the Chicago Department of Water Management. Using machine learning, researchers estimated lead levels in tap water across the city. The study found that about 75% of residential city blocks in Chicago had lead-contaminated water, impacting approximately 129,000 young children. Blocks with predominantly Black or Hispanic populations were less likely to be tested for lead but more likely to have contaminated water. The study highlights the ongoing issue of lead exposure and its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities.