Protecting Milwaukee’s Children: Outreach’s Vital Role in Lead Screenings During Well Child Checks
In light of the ongoing lead contamination crisis affecting Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), Outreach is stepping up to safeguard the health of our community’s children. The City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD), in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), has confirmed hazardous levels of lead contamination in multiple MPS buildings—levels that exceed state safety standards. These findings, uncovered through the ongoing work of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP), underscore the urgent need for proactive health screenings to monitor children’s exposure to lead.
At Outreach, we recognize the critical importance of early detection and prevention. During routine Well Child Checks, our providers offer comprehensive screenings, including lead testing, to ensure that potential exposure is identified as early as possible. By integrating lead screening into these regular health visits, we help parents and caregivers stay informed, take action, and protect their children’s long-term health.
Lead poisoning can have lifelong impacts on a child’s development, affecting learning, behavior, and overall health. With the current crisis impacting school buildings where children spend much of their time, Outreach’s screenings provide families with peace of mind and a clear path forward. Our team works closely with families to provide education, resources, and referrals if elevated lead levels are detected.
Together with local health authorities, Outreach is committed to supporting Milwaukee families through prevention, early detection, and responsive care—ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe, healthy environment.
Connect for a Well Child Check appointment by calling (414) 727-6320.
Understanding the Impact of Lead
What is lead?
Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal found in the Earth’s crust. It has many uses, including in the manufacture of lead-acid batteries for motor vehicles and energy storage, in pigments and paints, solder, ammunition, ceramic glazes, jewelry, toys and in some cosmetics and traditional medicines. Lead additives have been phased out of petrol globally for motor vehicles (1); however, lead continues to be used in some aviation fuels. The processing, use and disposal of lead can result in widespread environmental contamination and lead to human exposure. As lead is an element, it is highly persistent in the environment. – Courtesy of World Health Organization
What are the health effects of lead poisoning?
Lead has no biological function in the body and affects almost all organ systems. Studies to date have been unable to identify any level of exposure that has no harmful effects in children or adults (6). Lead exposure can cause chronic and debilitating health effects in all age groups. It is particularly harmful to young children as the developing nervous system is vulnerable to the toxic effects of lead, even at low-levels of exposure.
Lead exposure in early childhood can result in reduced cognitive abilities, lower intelligence quotient (IQ) scores, antisocial behaviors and reduced educational attainment. The initial signs of lead exposure may include sporadic vomiting, loss of appetite, behavioral changes with aggression, irritability and agitation, headache, clamminess and intermittent lethargy. Lead exposure can also cause anemia, hypertension, renal impairment, immunotoxicity and toxicity to the reproductive organs.