Bridget Boland-Cardinali, Access to Care Manager at the Health Department | La Crosse County website
Bridget Boland-Cardinali, Access to Care Manager at the Health Department | La Crosse County website
La Crosse County's public health nurses addressed 14 cases of childhood lead poisoning last year, highlighting an ongoing health concern. The La Crosse County Health Department is promoting awareness and encouraging families to use free lead testing services.
Childhood lead poisoning can cause lifelong health issues, including lower IQ, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems. Even low levels of exposure are serious, making early detection important.
The Health Department provides blood lead screenings for children aged 1 to 5, regardless of insurance status. Testing is also available through healthcare providers. However, many children remain untested. Last year, 593 children aged 1 and 2 were tested at least once for lead, while 1,647 were not screened.
"We are using every tool at our disposal to close the testing gap," said Bridget Boland-Cardinali, Access to Care Manager at the Health Department. "But we need the public’s help to raise awareness about the importance of lead testing for children."
As of January 1, 2024, Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS) recommends "universal testing," meaning all children should be tested at age 1 and again at age 2. Children aged 3-5 should be tested if they haven't been already.
A public health nurse follows up with children who test at or above 3.5 mcg/dL with a phone call and home visit to identify risk factors. Reminders are sent every 1-3 months for follow-up tests and developmental screening is advised. For those testing at or above 5 mcg/dL, a lead risk assessment may include testing paint, dust, and soil in homes and frequented places.
A recent case involved a child with a lead level of 41.8 mcg/dL living in a rental home built in 1901 with lead-based paint—the most common source of poisoning in the county. The home was condemned after diagnosis. Three years later, the child's levels remained concerning but showed improvement.
Lead poisoning is preventable, Boland-Cardinali noted, urging parents to ensure their children are tested. To schedule a free test at the Health Department, call 608-785-9872 or visit lacrossecounty.org/health.
Information from this article can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up