Lead

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What is Lead?

Lead is a naturally occurring metal that can cause negative health effects. People are exposed to lead by eating lead paint chips, ingesting contaminated food or water, and/or by breathing in lead dust.

Children younger than 6 years are more likely to be exposed due to their hand-to-mouth behavior. Many children ingest lead dust while playing on the floor near open windows with deteriorated lead paint, or by putting objects such as toys and dirt in their mouths.

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP)

Our Department is part of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP), funded in part by the Department of Health Services (DHS) and Lead Safe Homes Program (LSHP). This program is housed by the CDC.

CDC’s CLPPP is dedicated to eliminating childhood lead poisoning as a public health problem. The program is strengthening blood lead testing, reporting, and surveillance, linking exposed children to recommended services, and targeted population-based interventions.

When there is an elevated blood lead level in a child, our department is notified. Under Wisconsin State Statute 254.166 we are required to investigate the potential exposure of the child. Our department does this by completing interviews with the family and a Lead Risk Assessment of the home the child is living in. Once the lead has been identified, the home must be properly mitigated so the child is not exposed to lead at dangerous levels.

Health Effects

Lead can cause serious health conditions when children are exposed. Some adverse health effects may include:

Damage to the brain and nervous system
Slowed growth and development
Learning and behavior problems
Hearing and speech problems

This can cause:

Lower IQ
Decreased ability to pay attention
Underperformance in school

For more information see the CDC website onsymptoms and complications of lead.

When to Get Your Child Tested

The best way to know if your child has been exposed to lead is by having a blood test. You can arrange this with your primary health care provider.

These tests are routinely done when the child is around 1 year old and sometimes at 2 years old. If a child is at high risk, typically living in an older home, then additional sampling may be completed.

Where is Lead Usually Found

Children can be exposed to lead where they live, learn, and play. Sources of lead exposure can include the following:

Chipping or peeling paint in homes or buildings built before 1978
Water from lead pipes
Soil near airports, highways, or factories
Some imported candies and traditional medicines
Some imported toys and jewelry
Certain jobs and hobbies

Helpful Tips and Prevention

There are five things that you can do to help lower your child’s lead level:

Make a plan with your doctor.
Find the lead in your home
Clean up lead dust
Give your child healthy foods
Learn more. Get support.

See more by reviewing this CDC handout.

I have orders on the house I own, what do I do?

If your home has a lead abatement order, this means that there was a child poisoned at this location. Mitigation of the home is required regardless if the child that was poisoned is still living there or not. Please see the lead risk assessment and work orders in order to understand where the lead was found and what mitigation measures are required. If you do not have your lead risk assessment contact our department and we can provide this to you. See below for lead abatement resources.

Lead Abatement Resources

Please see the DHS Lead Safe WI home page for general information on lead.

To find a certified lead mitigation company please see DHS website here for further information.

There are several different links and contacts for resources in regards to funding to help with lead renovations. Please read through the qualifications for these funds, some may have certain requirements for those living at the location, in regards to income and other qualifications.

Questions and Resources

Do you have questions about our Environmental Health Program in Sheboygan County?
Contact us at (920) 459-3207 or email at environmental.health@sheboygancounty.com.

3/13/2025

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