Public Health

Most children show no signs of lead poisoning. Every child should be tested for lead poisoning 3 times before age 3 and at least once a year after, until age 6. Per the Department Wisconsin Department of Health Services, as of January 2024, Wisconsin recommends testing:

• All children at age 1
• All children again at age 2
• Any children between ages 3 to 5 without a previous test

A blood test measuring the amount of lead in a child’s body is the only way to determine if lead poisoning has occurred. To have your child tested for lead poisoning, call your child’s physician.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Does your child live in or visit a house with chipping or peeling paint, or that is being remodeled, and was built before 1978?
• Does your child have a brother, sister, or playmate with lead poisoning?
• Does your child live near or have a family member employed at a factory or in Construction/Demolition that may release lead?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, your child is at high risk of lead poisoning.

Lead paint is the major source of dangerous environmental exposure for young children. A paint chip the size of a fingernail can be enough to cause severely elevated blood lead levels in a child. Household remodeling can produce dangerous levels of lead-contaminated dust. Paint can chip and flake, contaminating areas around a house where children are likely to play. Soil and dust may also contain lead from leaded gasoline, industry, and deteriorating exterior house paint.

Most often, when lead is present in drinking water it is the result of the water dissolving lead from the plumbing pipes. Flushing the pipes by running water from the faucet for 2 to 3 minutes before using will greatly reduce the amount of lead present. The document below contains more information about lead in drinking water, testing water for lead, and ways to reduce exposure.

The City of Racine Water Utility has information about
lead in drinking water and private lead service line replacement program.

A well-balanced diet is very important. It is recommended that your child eat three meals a day with nutritious snacks in-between. Select a variety of foods from the Bread, Cereal, Rice & Pasta Group; Fruit Group; Vegetable Group; Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese Group; and Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, & Nuts Group. Current research shows a variety of foods will give your child important nutrients to help protect him/her from lead poisoning and can help reduce the amount of lead in his/her body. Families meeting income guidelines may be eligible for WIC.

The most important thing to do in preventing lead poisoning in your child is to reduce the sources of lead in your child’s world.

Here are some helpful ways to protect your child from lead poisoning:

• Watch what your child puts into his/her mouth, and never let your child eat paint chips. Wash your child’s hands often to remove dust and dirt, especially before meal time. Clean up any paint chips or dust which may be in the home.
• Twice a month, clean your floors, tables, furniture, window sills, and window wells with a detergent to remove dirt and then rinse well with clean water.
• Never use a household or shop vacuum to clean-up paint chips or dust. Instead, use a HEPA vacuum.
  HEPA vacuums are available on loan from the City of Racine Public Health Department – Environmental Health Division.
• Some pottery and ceramics may contain lead. Consult the City of Racine Public Health Department – Environmental Health Division if you have any questions about these items.

Federal regulations require home sellers and landlords to disclose information regarding the presence of lead-based paint hazards to future buyers or tenants. Copies of Lead Abatement Work Orders can be obtained for any vacant or occupied properties by contacting the Environmental Health Division.

Property owners with lead orders may qualify for cost-sharing programs below and, if qualifying, can apply to address orders issued by this department. Non-qualifying properties are required to identify a lead certified company with abatement certifications. Owners may refer to the WI Department of Health Services list of Certified Lead Companies or may request the list by emailing  DHSAsbestosLead@dhs.wisconsin.gov.