The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is recognizing National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 25-31) by highlighting statewide efforts to prevent lead exposure, increase childhood blood lead testing rates, and help families and communities identify and reduce exposure to common sources of lead.
“Children are most often exposed to lead where they spend much of their time: the places where they live, learn, and play,” said Jess Maloney, director of the DHS Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. “That’s why DHS is working with resources to prevent and address lead poisoning. This work is critical to protecting children’s health and supporting their development.”
In January 2025, Wisconsin updated its administrative definition and lead poisoning, lowering barriers to healthcare response. Since then, over 3,000 children have been diagnosed with lead poisoning each year. Detecting and addressing lead poisoning cases earlier can substantially reduce health impacts.
“The only way to know if a child has been exposed to lead is through a blood lead test,” said Dr. Queenie Abad, chief medical officer for the DHS Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health. “Lead exposure can lead to reduced IQ, behavioral challenges, and learning disabilities, which is why it is so important to catch address lead exposures as early as possible. We encourage every parent and caregiver to talk with their child’s healthcare provider about blood lead testing and to take steps to reduce lead hazards at home and in other places their children spend time.”
The most common sources of lead exposure are from paint and household dust. Other sources include plumbing, soil in or around older homes and buildings, and imported products like spices and makeup. Adult hobbies or occupations such as shooting, hunting, construction, and stained-glass work can also expose children to lead if lead dust or debris is brought home on clothes and shoes.
To prevent exposure to lead, DHS supports a network of agencies that respond to and prevent lead poisoning cases through lead-safe homes and other lead-safe community programs, including lead-in-water testing and remediation initiatives.
As of September 2026, the DHS Lead-in-Water Testing and Remediation Initiative has completed water testing and plumbing remediation in 650 child care centers statewide. The program partners with local health departments to offer free lead-in-water testing and plumbing fixes to licensed child care facilities. Reaching this milestone not only demonstrates the need for lead prevention and remediation efforts, it also shows the importance of blood lead testing and prevention. DHS remains dedicated to protecting and promoting the health and safety of all Wisconsinites through lead prevention and remediation efforts.
