As Previewed in 2025 State of the State Address, Gov. Evers Approves DHS Emergency Rule to Strengthen Standards to Prevent Further Hazardous Lead Exposure to Wisconsin Kids
Rule allows more kids to be eligible for services to help reduce lead exposure
Gov. Tony Evers, as
The governor previewed his plans to invest over $6 million in the 2025-27 executive budget to support lead poisoning intervention and response efforts. Last year, providers tested over 95,000 children for lead in Wisconsin, more than any other year of the past decade. DHS estimates that in 2025, about 1,400 kids are expected to have a blood lead level between 3.5 and 4.9 micrograms per 100 milliliters.
“Preventing children from lead poisoning can be challenging because you cannot tell if an object they are playing with or the places they crawl around on have lead just by looking at it,” said DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson. “Early identification through testing is the key to preventing further exposure and we encourage all parents and caretakers concerned about the possible lead exposure to contact their child’s health care provider to be tested.”
In January 2024, DHS recommended universal lead testing to ensure all children get at least two lead tests by age 2. The only way to know if a child is experiencing lead poisoning is with a blood lead test. Children may not show the effects of lead poisoning until later in life, and it is hard to tell if a child is being exposed to lead hazards.
Lead poisoning can impact:
- Brain development
- Behavior
- Growth
- Learning potential
- Lifelong health
Children are at risk for lead poisoning when they’re exposed to lead hazards. The primary source of lead exposure in Wisconsin is lead in paint or varnish in household dust. It can also be found in the soil and air from car, plane, and factory emissions—and it’s been found in drinking water in some parts of the state. Children are most at risk for exposure to lead-based paint found in homes and child care centers before 1978.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Lead Crisis
- MTEA Statement on Lead Exposure in MPS Buildings - Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association - Apr 30th, 2025
- Statement from Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez on Lead Hazards in MPS Buildings - Sup. Juan Miguel Martinez - Apr 29th, 2025
- MPS Closing Two More Schools For Lead Hazards - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 28th, 2025
- Milwaukee Public Schools Enters New Phase of Lead Cleanup - Milwaukee Public Schools - Apr 28th, 2025
- What To Know and How To Keep Kids Safe From Lead Poisoning - Evan Casey - Apr 25th, 2025
- Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Senator Tammy Baldwin Urge HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to Reinstate Childhood Lead Poisoning Experts at CDC, Push for Approval of Milwaukee’s Request for Federal Assistance - U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore - Apr 23rd, 2025
- MPS’s Fernwood School to Reopen Following Lead Remediation Work - Milwaukee Public Schools - Apr 22nd, 2025
- Milwaukee School Board May Sue Paint Companies Over Lead Crisis - Evan Casey - Apr 19th, 2025
- Trump Administration Axed Federal Employees Needed for MPS Lead Crisis - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 14th, 2025
- New MPS Superintendent Dumps Beleaguered Facilities Director - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 3rd, 2025
Read more about Lead Crisis here
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