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The number one cause of lead poisoning in young children is lead dust from deteriorating lead paint. Lead poisoning can seriously affect your child's health.
The Environmental Health Lead Program offers a variety of services to help residents identify lead hazards. To those interested residents, a free lead inspection of your home is offered. This inspection includes a visual inspection, an XRF test (Lead-in-Paint Analyzer), education about lead hazards, and consultation.
With a staff of four Wisconsin Certified Risk Assessors, the Environmental Health Division provides prompt intervention in the case of a lead-poisoned child. This includes a full lead assessment, which may include a visual inspection, a test with an XRF (Lead-in-Paint Analyzer), dustwipe sampling, soil sampling, water testing, toy or mini-blind testing, and education to parents. Follow-ups are continued until the child has a lead safe environment.
Most of the homes in our community were built before 1980 and may have lead paint in them on the walls and windows. Chipping and peeling of old paint and the dust that is created as you open and close old windows are the most common source of lead poisoning in children. Certain occupations and hobbies of the parents also lead to lead exposure. Young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of lead as they develop.
Blood Testing
A free blood lead-screening test is offered to children age six months to six years old. Please call the West Allis Health Department to make an appointment or to get more information about lead poisoning.
Home Inspection
Environmental testing for lead is available by request to residents. Please call 302-8600 and request to speak to the environmentalist for your area.
HEPA Vacuum
The West Allis Health Department has a special HEPA filter vacuum cleaner available for residents to check out. This vacuum has a special filter designed to trap lead dust. Please call the Health Department for more information.
Public Health Nurse Follow-up
When a child is identified with an elevated lead level, a nurse contacts the family to offer information, developmental screening of the child, assistance in identifying the source of the lead exposure and counseling regarding follow-up lead testing and resources for lead abatement.
