What is Lead Poisoning?
Too much lead in the body can cause serious damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system, and red blood cells. High levels can cause retardation, convulsions, coma and sometimes death. Low levels can slow a child's normal development and cause learning and behavioral problems.

How do children become poisoned by lead?
Lead poisoning can be caused when children eat, chew, or suck on lead painted objects. Common furniture or objects containing lead paint are: window sills, railings, toys, or furniture. Also, young children's normal hand-to-mouth activities can cause lead poisoning if there is lead in the household dust.

Sources of Lead:

Painted Surfaces

• window sills and wells

• door frames and sills

• walls

• woodwork

• floors/stairs

• porches, outbuildings

• railings and banisters

• toys and play equipment

• furniture

• some antique baby furniture

Water

• in Wisconsin, some pipes installed before 1972

• some solder used in pipes before 1984

Food

• contaminated by dust and residue from air/hands

• from cans with sealed lead solder seams

• some ceramics, leaded crystal glassware

• grown in contaminated soil

• stored in lead-glazed pottery

Soil

• near lead painted buildings that have been weathered or been scraped or sandblasted

• near busy roads

• near orchards and other areas sprayed with lead arsenate

Air-borne sources

• dust and fumes from lead painted materials that have been burned, heated, or sandblasted

• fumes from auto and industrial emissions

• dust created by removing lead paint during home renovation projects

What are the symptoms of Lead Poisoning?

• headaches

• irritability

• tiredness

• lack of appetite

• stomach aches

Because these symptoms are not specific, the only way to diagnose lead poisoning is through a blood test.

Who should be tested and when?
Children under six should be tested annually. Children between six months and three years should be tested every 1-12 months depending on their blood lead level and their risk level. Steps to prevent lead exposure should be taken for children with blood lead levels of 15 micrograms per deciliter of blood. For blood levels of 20, a child should receive medical follow-up and a home inspection.

Where can I get help if my child is poisoned?
Wisconsin Division of Health's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program will provide information about lead screening for children. Call (608)266-1826 for this information. For environmental lead information call (608)266-7897.

Wisconsin Lead Testing Resources
Blood Samples can be taken by personal physicians or local public health agencies/WIC clinics.

Labs certified by Centers for Disease Control:

State Lab of Hygiene
(608)262-1146

ACL Laboratories
(800)877-7016

City Milwaukee Health Department
(715)387-5317

Paint Testing and Environmental Evaluation:

The Wisconsin Division of Health's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program will help coordinate testing for lead in homes of children whose blood lead is high. Call (608)266-5885 or (608)266-7897. The State Lab can test air, paint, and dust for lead @ (608)263-6550.

Water samples:

State Lab of Hygiene
(608)262-1293

DNR Certified Labs
(608)266-0821

Soil samples:

UW Soils Lab
Madison (608) 262-4364
Milwaukee (414)229-4894

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