By WMBD-TV
MCLEAN COUNTY – Following recent news of possible lead contamination in cinnamon products, the McLean County Health Department is giving parents tips about preventing lead poisoning in children.
Lead is a natural metal found in the ground that should not be consumed. It can show up in imported products like spices, jewelry and cosmetics.
Sophie Rebert, case management supervisor said unfortunately there are no symptoms of lead poisoning until there are higher lead levels.
“Some of those symptoms would be irritability, lethargy, sometimes gastrointestinal problems. And the real big thing that we worry about with children is that it can have long-lasting neurological effects,” she said. “We just are concerned about a change in a person’s IQ and that can really affect a child’s with a smaller body mass is really what we’re concerned about. The effects of lead, just that much more serious on a child.”
According to the health department, state-mandated screening for childhood lead poisoning in children aged 6 years and younger began in 1993. More than 200,000 children are tested for blood lead each year, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Between Jan. 1, 2023 and July 31, 2024, there were 2,516 children tested in McLean County.
From those tested, there were 82 confirmed cases of elevated blood lead levels.
Statewide, for the same time period, there were 282,423 children tested. There were 4,451 confirmed cases of elevated blood lead levels.
Once lead is found in blood, investigations are opened to find and get rid of the source of lead.
Click here to see a list of imported items that may contain lead.
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