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    What to Know About Childhood Lead Poisoning in Wisconsin

    Mars Posted on

    Although the use of lead-based paint in homes, toys and more was banned decades ago, lead poisoning remains a very real threat to children in Wisconsin and across the country.

    That’s the reason behind National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, which this year takes place October 20-26. The goal of the week is to increase awareness and therefore reduce cases of childhood lead exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

    Here’s what Wisconsin families need to know about childhood lead poisoning.

    More: Lead testing is now recommended for all children in Wisconsin, as lead testing levels lag behind pre-pandemic levels.

    What are the dangers of lead poisoning?

    Lead poisoning can affect many aspects of children’s growth and development, including behavior, learning potential and lifelong health, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

    “No amount of lead exposure is safe for a child,” Brian Weaver, DHS principal policy advisor, said in a press release. “Even low levels of lead in the blood have been shown to affect a child’s IQ, attention span and speech development.”

    What are the most common causes of lead poisoning in children?

    The release explains that young children are most exposed through cracked or peeling lead-based paint. This paint was often used in homes built before 1978. Children may swallow or breathe dust from paint deterioration.

    Children can also be exposed through the contaminated drinking water and soil they ingest.

    How common is childhood lead poisoning?

    The exact answer can be difficult to pin down.

    Nearly 27,000 Wisconsin children under the age of 6 have been poisoned by lead in the past 10 years, according to the DHS release. But lead testing has reached historic lows during the pandemic, calling into question how many children actually have lead poisoning but were never tested. Testing has since started to increase.

    How often and when should my child be tested for lead poisoning?

    Blood tests are the only way to know if a child has lead poisoning.

    Earlier this year, Wisconsin changed its testing recommendations to reflect federal Medicaid requirements. All children should be tested at 1 year of age and then again at 2 years of age. All children ages 3 to 5 who have not been tested previously should do so.

    “Children under the age of 6 are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure because their bodies are still developing and growing rapidly,” Weaver said in the release.

    Additional testing may be recommended in areas with high rates of lead exposure, the release said. Direct your questions to your local health department.

    Testing can also be done on older children if there is concern about exposure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has specific lead testing recommendations for newly arrived refugees.

    How do I get my child tested for lead exposure?

    Contact your healthcare provider to arrange testing. If you don’t have a health care provider, contact your local health department or WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) office, recommends DHS.

    Is my child at high risk of lead exposure?

    DHS noted that some children may be at high risk of lead exposure.

    Wisconsin children enrolled in Medicaid are three times more likely to have lead poisoning than children who don’t use the program, DHS said. Children who live in homes or attend daycares built before 1978 are also at higher risk, primarily because lead-based paint was common at that time.

    How can I get my home or water tested for lead?

    To learn more about water testing, contact your local health department or water company.

    For homeowners, more information about lead abatement (controlling and eliminating lead-based paint hazards) and finding a lead-free remodeling company can be found at bit.ly/WILeadTesting.

    Tenants can ask their landlords to have their house or apartment tested.

    Related: Children’s Wisconsin plans to close a doctor’s office in a lead poisoning hot spot in Milwaukee. Some fear the lead problem will get worse

    Madison Lammert covers child care and early education across Wisconsin as a Report for America corps member based at The Appleton Post-Crescent. To contact her, send an email [email protected] or call 920-993-7108. Please consider supporting the journalism that illuminates our democracy with a tax-deductible gift to Report for America while visiting postcrescent.com/RFA.

    Mars
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