Welcome to Prevent Lead Poisoning Milwaukee! We're your source for free tools and materials to learn about lead safety. Our goal is to help families, communities, and property owners understand how to stay safe from lead. Join us in promoting #LEADucation and let's learn about lead together!
WE HAVE A LEAD PROBLEM IN MILWAUKEE.
This problem goes back.
Milwaukee's lead issue is rooted in two main factors. Firstly, the city's older housing stock, built before the 1978 ban on lead-based paint, exposes residents to potential lead hazards. Secondly, the historical use of lead service lines, mandated since 1872, has led to a significant number of properties still being serviced by lead pipes, contributing to the persistence of lead contamination in the water supply.
A hidden threat.
Lead is a toxic metal that can be found in various sources, including paint, water, soil, and certain consumer products. Despite its pervasive presence, lead poisoning often goes unnoticed, causing severe health problems over time.
It impacts health.
Lead exposure leads to cognitive issues, developmental delays, and learning disabilities, especially in children. It also affects cardiovascular health, elevating blood pressure and heart disease risk, while potentially harming kidney function. This underscores the urgent need to minimize lead exposure.
In the water, paint, soil, and more.
Old plumbing systems and lead pipes can contaminate drinking water, posing a lead exposure risk. Regular testing, water filter usage, and replacing lead pipes are vital steps in preventing lead ingestion through water consumption. Similarly, lead-based paint in older buildings and lead-contaminated soil are major sources of exposure, particularly for children. Adhering to proper renovation practices, conducting soil tests, and upholding a clean environment are imperative to mitigate these risks.
