Common Lead Exposure Areas

Identifying where lead exposure occurs in Chicago communities

Where Lead Exposure Commonly Occurs

Lead can be found in many places throughout Chicago, with water service lines being a significant source. Understanding where lead exposure commonly occurs can help you take appropriate precautions to protect yourself and your family.

Water Service Lines

Chicago has the highest number of lead service lines in the United States. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures, and solder.

  • Lead service lines connecting homes to water mains
  • Lead solder used to connect copper pipes
  • Older fixtures and faucets containing lead
  • Water fountains in older buildings

Older Homes

Homes built before 1978 likely contain lead-based paint. When this paint deteriorates, it creates lead dust that can be inhaled or ingested.

  • Peeling, chipping, or cracking lead paint
  • Lead dust from opening and closing windows
  • Renovation activities that disturb lead paint
  • Soil around older homes contaminated with lead from exterior paint

Schools and Childcare Facilities

Many Chicago schools and childcare facilities are housed in older buildings that may contain lead in paint, dust, and water systems.

  • Drinking fountains with lead components
  • Old plumbing systems with lead pipes or solder
  • Deteriorating lead paint on walls, windows, and doors
  • Playground equipment with lead paint or contaminated soil

Soil and Dust

Lead can accumulate in soil from various sources, including past use of leaded gasoline, industrial emissions, and deteriorating exterior lead paint.

  • Soil near busy roads and highways
  • Areas near current or former industrial sites
  • Urban gardens in contaminated soil
  • Playgrounds and parks in older neighborhoods

Food and Consumer Products

Lead can be found in certain imported or handmade items, as well as in food grown in contaminated soil or stored in lead-containing containers.

  • Imported ceramics, pottery, and dishware
  • Some imported candies and spices
  • Traditional remedies and cosmetics
  • Vegetables grown in lead-contaminated soil

Occupational Exposure

Certain occupations have a higher risk of lead exposure, and workers can inadvertently bring lead dust home on their clothes, shoes, and bodies.

  • Construction and renovation work
  • Plumbing and pipe fitting
  • Battery manufacturing and recycling
  • Auto repair, particularly radiator repair
  • Metal recycling and smelting

Chicago's Lead Service Line Distribution

Lead service lines are not distributed equally across Chicago. Some neighborhoods have higher concentrations due to the age of housing, historical development patterns, and infrastructure investment disparities.

High-Risk Areas

Neighborhoods with older housing stock, particularly those built before 1986, have the highest concentration of lead service lines. These areas include:

  • Many South and West Side neighborhoods
  • Older residential areas with single-family homes
  • Communities with limited infrastructure updates

Check Your Address

The most reliable way to determine if your home has a lead service line is to check your specific address using our interactive tool.

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Neighborhood Risk Factors

Several factors contribute to higher lead exposure risks in certain Chicago neighborhoods:

Age of Housing

Neighborhoods with older housing stock, particularly those built before 1978 (when lead paint was banned) and before 1986 (when lead plumbing was restricted), have higher risks of lead exposure. Many of Chicago's historic neighborhoods fall into this category.

Socioeconomic Factors

Research has shown that lower-income neighborhoods often face higher lead exposure risks due to older housing, deferred maintenance, and fewer resources for lead remediation. This creates an environmental justice issue that needs to be addressed.

Industrial History

Neighborhoods near current or former industrial sites may have higher levels of lead in soil and dust. Chicago's industrial history has left a legacy of contamination in some areas.

Water Infrastructure

The age and condition of water infrastructure varies across Chicago neighborhoods. Areas with older water mains and more lead service lines face higher risks of lead in drinking water, especially when water main work disturbs the existing pipes.

Take Action to Protect Your Family

Now that you understand where lead exposure commonly occurs, learn about practical steps you can take to reduce your risk and safeguard your family's health.

Explore Mitigation Strategies