Has the lead and arsenic in the soil from the East Chicago site gotten into our bodies?

Most of us have some lead and arsenic in our bodies from exposures in everyday life. It is not possible to determine whether the lead and arsenic in your body is from your exposure to the contaminated soil or another source. The East Chicago Health Department and others have been conducting blood testing for lead and have found that more children have elevated blood lead levels than would normally be expected. This may be from the soil.

Testing for arsenic in the body is not reliable and is reserved for cases of high-dose poisoning rather than exposure from the environment. It is usually conducted by poison specialists.

Show All Answers

1. Where did the lead and arsenic come from?
2. How does the lead and arsenic in soil get into our bodies?
3. Has the lead and arsenic in the soil from the East Chicago site gotten into our bodies?
4. How can the lead and arsenic from the soil affect our health?
5. Should my child get a blood lead test?
6. Should I be worried if my child’s lead level is elevated?
7. What can I do if my child’s lead level is elevated?
8. What can I do to prevent the lead and arsenic in the soil from getting into my child’s body?