Lead In Chicago

Why chose lead as a service learning analyte for chemistry?  Although lead poisoning has diminished nationally recent studies indicate that the effects of lead are measureable at even lower blood lead levels.  The effects are seen in learning disabilities, low attention spans, as well as some correlations with delinquent behavior as teenagers.

Large portions of the housing stock in Chicago predate WWII, the time at which the alternative white paint based on titanium was introduced.  As a consequence large numbers of housing units contain leaded paint.  Not surprisingly neighborhoods with older housing stock are associated with areas in which the blood lead of children exceeds normative limits.   Source:  City of Chicago