A lead risk assessment conducted by the Milwaukee Health Department has found hazardous levels of lead paint and lead dust alongside elevated lead levels in water taps at Kagel Elementary School, 1210 W. Mineral St.
“There are unsafe levels of lead,” said Tyler Weber, deputy health commissioner at the Milwaukee Health Department. “We need to take all the actions we can to reduce lead exposure.”
The findings come after two cases of child lead poisoning were confirmed by the Milwaukee Health Department to have originated at Milwaukee Public Schools facilities, with two additional cases undergoing active investigations.
Results from an investigation into Golda Meir Lower School, released on Tuesday, noted lead hazards that “pose an immediate and ongoing risk to the health and safety of students and staff,” according to the Milwaukee Health Department. Lead hazards were also found at Maryland Avenue Montessori School, and a fourth lead poisoning case involving a student at Trowbridge Street School of Great Lakes Studies is under investigation.
The details
The Milwaukee Health Department issued a health order on Wednesday that requires immediate cleaning and covering of lead hazards at Kagel Elementary School to be completed by Tuesday, Feb. 18. More extensive cleaning of lead hazards are required by Feb. 25, and repairs to all interior lead hazards are required by March 11.
The Milwaukee Health Department’s investigation found that at Kagel Elementary School, all floors and windowsills on the ground floor, first floor and second floor, along with all floors on the third floor, are considered dust lead hazards.
Individual samples recorded lead levels on floors up to 72 times higher than thresholds set by the Department of Health Services and lead levels on window sills at up to 16 times higher than the same thresholds.
Inspections also recorded significantly deteriorated lead paint throughout the building. Paint and dust conditions did not indicate that lead-safe practices and regular monitoring of lead hazards were conducted, Weber said.
Elevated water lead levels were also found throughout bathrooms, kitchens, offices and hallways at Kagel Elementary School. 42 water samples, including one hallway water bubbler, measured above the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ Preventive Action Limit, and an additional two water samples measured above the more stringent Enforcement Standard.
It is not currently known if the kitchen sinks showing elevated lead levels are used for cooking, Weber said.
What happens next
The Milwaukee Health Department indicated that it has not received word from Milwaukee Public Schools of whether or not immediate actions have been taken to clean or stabilize lead hazards at Kagel Elementary School.
At Kagel Elementary School, “painters are working on stabilization through the 18th,” and “cleaning will continue through the 25th,” according to an emailed statement provided by Stephen Davis, media relations manager at Milwaukee Public Schools.
The Milwaukee Health Department will complete progress checks on Milwaukee Public Schools facilities with identified lead hazards. A progress check at Golda Meir Lower School is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 15.
Both Kagel Elementary School and Golda Meir Lower School remain open. When asked whether the Milwaukee Health Department plans to close the schools, Weber said: “That’s still a potential.”
“We are trying to use the data from the dust wipes to determine that and are finalizing conversations with the city attorney,” Weber said.
Lead service clinics?
The Milwaukee Health Department also announced efforts to bring community lead screening clinics with Milwaukee Public Schools students.
“We are hoping to announce schedules for those clinics very soon,” said Michael Totoraitis, health commissioner at the Milwaukee Health Department.
For more information
The Milwaukee Health Department continues to recommend that all children be tested for lead poisoning at the ages of 12, 18 and 24 months, and then once every year until the age of 5.
Blood testing for lead poisoning is free for those covered under BadgerCare Plus, Wisconsin’s Medicaid program, and it is covered by most private insurance plans.
Resources for free lead testing and more lead-safe practices can be found at our guide
Full results from the investigation conducted by the Milwaukee Health Department
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