Testing Children for Lead Poisoning is Inconsistent in Wisconsin
Monday, March 21st, 2016 -- 9:21 AM
(AP) -Testing of children for lead poisoning is inconsistent in Wisconsin, with some counties with the greatest risk of lead poisoning among those testing the least.That's the finding of an analysis by USA Today Network-Wisconsin. Experts say lead paint causes nearly all childhood lead poisoning in Wisconsin. Use of lead paint was most common on houses built before 1950.
According to Wisconsin Department of Health Services and U.S. Census data, Clark and Iowa counties have some of Wisconsin's largest concentrations of pre-1950s homes -- but both counties are in the bottom 10 for the percentage of children tested for lead poisoning.
Lead poisoning is irreversible and can cause developmental delays. Nearly 4,000 Wisconsin children younger than age 6 were positive for lead poisoning in 2014.
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