— Reducing Lead Exposures —
Steps you can take to protect your family:
Get your home checked for lead, especially if your home was built before 1978. Find a certified inspector or risk assessor in Wisconsin. If you are worried about cost of inspection or repair, check to see if you qualify for the Lead-Safe Homes Program.
Check with your local water utility about lead service lines and have your water tested. Many public water systems will test drinking water for residents upon request. If there is lead in your tap water, take steps to reduce or eliminate exposure.
If you plan on remodeling an older home, hire a company trained in lead hazards, or take trainings on how to renovate safely. Here are some videos on how to renovate safely.
Fix areas in your home that have peeling or chipping paint. If you rent, talk to your landlord about fixing this.
Make sure your child is eating a balanced diet, including sources rich in iron.
Clean your floors, window sills, and other surfaces often. Avoid sweeping and vacuuming and instead use a wet method (i.e. mop) whenever possible.
Remove shoes or clean soil off shoes before entering your house.
Wash children’s hands, bottles, pacifiers, and toys often. Check the latest recalls to see if any of your child’s toys have been recalled for lead.
If you think you are experiencing an unsafe workplace lead exposure, report it here.
Getting Lead Tested:
You can talk to your health care provider about having your family tested for lead, as most children with detectable levels of lead in their blood show little to no symptoms. Even if you live in a newer home, exposures can occur elsewhere in your child’s environment, such as a daycare or playground.
A simple blood test can check for exposure. Medicaid covers the cost of lead testing in children, as do most private insurance policies. For more information on testing in Wisconsin visit the Department of Health Services Website.