Lead in Chicago drinking water
In short
We ran a research study and media campaign on lead-contaminated drinking water in Chicago. Within weeks, Senators Durbin and Duckworth cited our estimate in letters to Illinois Medicaid insurers. Within months, they started providing free water filters.
What we did
We used machine learning and statistical simulation methods to estimate the risk of lead-contaminated tap water across Chicago.
What we found
Roughly 129,000 children under six — 68% of the city's young children — were in homes with lead-contaminated water, and the blocks least likely to have been tested were the most likely to be contaminated.
What changed
After publishing our results, we worked with journalists, community organizations, and national advocacy groups to disseminate our recommendations of (1) increased testing and (2) free water filters. Within weeks, Senators Durbin and Duckworth cited the study in letters to all five Illinois Medicaid managed care organizations — asking them to provide free NSF/ANSI-certified water filters and EPA-approved test kits. Within months, the water filter vouchers and expanded testing efforts were rolled out.
What we filed
Sources
Coverage
Huynh BQ, Chin ET, Kiang MV. Estimated Childhood Lead Exposure From Drinking Water in Chicago. JAMA Pediatrics, March 2024. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.0133