Lead is a toxic chemical that was regularly used in paints and other household material before it was banned by the EPA in 1978. Lead can still contaminate residential water supplies from lead-based materials used to carry the water to the distribution point. Lead is also emitted through different industrial processes into our atmosphere and environment.
Lead is dangerous to people of all ages, but especially to infants and children up to six years of age. Children are more susceptible to lead because they tend to put objects into their mouth that can possibly contain lead. The main sources of lead in children are lead-based paint chips, contaminated soils, and lead dust. Because the nervous system of infants and children is rapidly developing, lead can cause irreparable damage. When exposed to lead, children do not show obvious signs of illness unless the amount of lead in their body becomes extremely high. Lead can stunt nervous system development in children that can result in learning disabilities, hyperactivity, slow physical growth, and hearing impairment.
Testing of lead in humans is done by doing a Blood Lead Level (BLL) Test. The test can be administered by a local physician and results would be received shortly after. Capillary blood lead levels are drawn on all 1 and 2 year olds enrolled in Sauk County’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. See bottom of webpage for link to WIC.
For Adults the normal BLL is less than 20 micrograms/dL.
For Children the normal BLL is less than 10 micrograms/dL
A Public Health Nurse follows children with elevated blood lead levels of 10 micrograms/dL and greater to identify sources of lead exposure, reduce risks associated with exposures, and educate parents on eliminating lead hazards in the home.
If you or your child’s BLL is higher than the normal, further testing and monitoring should be done. The South Central Environmental Health Consortium (SCEHC) advises to have a Home Lead Risk Assessment done if results of a blood test are higher than normal BLL's. The SCEHC provides these risk assessments which include an inspection and overview of your home and property to determine the threat of lead in your home.
If your child has one BLL over 20 micrograms/dl or two separate BLL’s over 15 micrograms/dL then the SCEHC will provide a Lead Hazard Investigation. A Lead Hazard Instigation is much more thorough than a risk assessment and will test suspected leaded areas in your home to further determine the source of the high BLL’s.
Public Health Office 
Sauk County West Square Building
Room #372
505 Broadway
Baraboo, WI 53913
Phone: (608) 355-3290
Fax: (608) 355-4329
PH Director - Cynthia Bodendein, RN, MSN
Home Care Deputy Director - Cathy Warwick BSN
Environmental Health Manager - Mitchell Lohr RS, BS
