Cause for concern
Lead poisoning is an entirely preventable environmental disease, yet Wisconsin’s children are three times more likely to suffer from lead poisoning than the national average.

Large health disparities exist in lead poisoning among children in Wisconsin. The highest rates of lead poisoning are found among African-American children, followed by Asian and Hispanic children.

Homes built before 1978, when lead paint was banned from the American market, are likely to contain lead-based paint. Children who play near windows, porches or other areas of the home with chipping or peeling paint can get lead dust on their fingers and toys and subsequently into their mouths, where the lead enters their blood streams.

Lead poisoning causes serious and permanent health problems in young children. Health effects include reduction in intelligence and attention span, reading and learning disabilities, behavior problems, impaired hearing, kidney damage and slowed growth.

The only way to know if a child is lead poisoned is to have a blood test. Approximately 82,000 Wisconsin children are tested for lead poisoning each year. More than 46,000 children younger than age 6, enough to fill Miller Park, were reported lead poisoned in Wisconsin since 1996. The most effective way to prevent lead poisoning is to control or remove lead hazards from the home environment. It is estimated that over 450,000 Wisconsin homes contain significant lead hazards.

Our role
The Alliance is helping to facilitate and staff Wisconsin's effort to eliminate lead poisoning among children. We are funded by the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services. This includes collaborating with organizations, building partnerships, educating policymakers and participation in the Wisconsin Childhood Lead Poisoning Elimination Implementation and Oversight Committee.

Wisconsin Childhood Lead Poisoning Elimination Plan Implementation and Oversight Committee (IOC)

• Priority Public Policy Recommendations for Wisconsin 2009 – 2010: The Wisconsin Childhood Lead Poisoning Elimination Plan Implementation and Oversight Committee has developed and endorsed a set of public policy proposals. These policy recommendations have been designed to provide communities and agencies with additional tools and programs to help eliminate childhood lead poisoning by 2010. View summary.
• Response to Senate Joint Resolution 65 – Report to Wisconsin State Legislature on three lead poisoning elimination components (costs, abatement, and sources of funding). View Response Summary. Senate Joint Resolution 65.
• Wisconsin Childhood Lead Poisoning Elimination Plan 2010 - This state plan provides strategies for community education, addressing lead hazards in housing, blood lead testing, data sharing, funding and resources. View the state plan.

Kids unLEADed
(three times per year e-mail)
Working to end childhood lead poisoning, this newsletter features upcoming events, recall alerts, local and national initiatives, legislative updates, current data, research, and resources.
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