Environmental Testing in Illinois
Mold, Asbestos & Lead Test Kits

Chicago has more pre-1940 housing units than almost any other US city, creating an enormous lead paint burden. The city's historic three-flats, greystones, and coach houses — built from the 1880s through the 1940s — contain lead paint throughout. Chicago has one of the highest rates of childhood lead poisoning of any major US city, and the problem is concentrated in older neighborhoods on the South and West Sides.

Illinois's industrial history also means asbestos was widely used in commercial and residential construction through the 1970s. Industrial suburbs like Waukegan, Joliet, and East Chicago have significant asbestos contamination from manufacturing proximity. Residential homes built in Chicago and its older suburbs during the 1940s through 1970s frequently contain asbestos in floor tiles, insulation, and roofing.

Even maintained lead paint produces hazardous lead dust through normal friction at windows, doors, and stairs. Lead dust testing can identify these hidden exposure sources before they affect children's health.

Chicago Neighborhoods at Elevated Risk

Englewood, Austin, Humboldt Park, Pilsen, and other older South and West Side neighborhoods have the highest lead risk due to concentrated pre-1940 housing stock. North Shore suburbs with older housing also have significant hazards.