La Crosse County, Wisconsin

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) defines lead poisoning as a blood lead level of 10 mcg or greater. In La Crosse County, children with a lead level of 10 mcg or greater are case managed by the Lead Program Nursing Team. Case management may include but is not limited to phone calls, home visits, consults with Primary Health Care Providers, and a home lead risk assessment. The RN works together with a Registered Dietician and a Lead Risk Assessor. Our goal is to reduce environmental lead exposure and lead poisoning in children of La Crosse County. The Lead Team educates the public on lead safe remodeling practices, assists families with lead poisoned children in finding lead safe housing, and educates families on ways to reduce a child’s lead exposure.

Many houses and apartments built before 1978 have paint that contains lead. Lead from paint, chips, and dust can pose serious health hazards. Just as someone with high blood pressure does not look sick, children with lead poisoning do not look sick. We support the State of WI Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program which recommends that children have blood lead tests done at appropriate intervals between ages one and six. Blood lead tests may be obtained at the child’s Primary Health Care Provider's office, at WIC, and at the Public Health Nursing Department. If you would like more information, contact:

Bryany Weigel, RN, or Charity Kocimski, RN, at 608-785-9723.

Information on Lead Poisoning:

Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Lead Home Page

Center for Disease Control - Lead Information