The Milwaukee Health Department conducted a follow-up lead hazard assessment on Golda Meir Lower School on Friday, finding 10 dust wipe samples that meet safety standards and two that do not.
The results reflect an improvement over an initial lead risk assessment, which found all floors and windowsills in the facility to be dust lead hazards. However, high lead levels were still found.
Dust wipe samples taken from the floors of the ground floor kitchen and girls’ bathroom measured lead levels that were up to 16 times higher than safety thresholds set by the Department of Health Services, according to Michael Mannan, home environmental health director at the Milwaukee Health Department.
“It’s another indicator that you have to be very methodical about cleaning to avoid contamination,” Mannan said.
What’s happened so far?
Golda Meir went through a deep cleaning process throughout the entire building to immediately address lead hazards, Mannan said.
This follows a health order placed on the facility earlier this month that required immediately covering lead hazards and cleaning interior surfaces.
“Interim controls have worked so far, but we want to move past interim controls and have permanent solutions,” Mannan said.
Future deadlines detailed in the health order require more permanent repairs to interior lead hazards to be completed by March 10 and repairs to exterior lead hazards to be completed by June 2.
Growing concerns
Parents are still worried about the elevated lead measurements.
“I’m really disappointed,” said Kristen Payne, parent of a third-grade student at Golda Meir Lower School. “It’s really disheartening, and parents are really concerned. We want answers.”
Payne and other parents started Lead Safe Schools MKE to organize for lead free schools in Milwaukee. The group published a petition demanding more transparency and accountability from Milwaukee Public Schools and the Milwaukee Health Department.
After seeing that elevated lead levels remained at Golda Meir, Payne said she feels concerned about sending her child back to school on Wednesday.
“There’s just no clarity and none of us know exactly what to do,” Payne said.
Is Golda Meir safe?
Follow-up lead samples were taken on Monday after additional cleaning was conducted at Golda Meir, Mannan said. Results from the lead samples were not yet available at the time of publication.
“The buildings are still safe. Golda Meir is still safe,” Mannan said.
Another follow-up assessment will be conducted at Golda Meir Lower School at the end of the week, Mannan said.
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