Lead in Schools and Child Care Centers

School boards are required to develop and implement a plan for maintaining indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in their schools. They are required to provide a copy of the plan upon request. (Wis. Stat. § 118.075). An IEQ Management Plan can include policy addendums related to the control of common environmental hazards, such as a lead-based paint and asbestos. The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has a model management plan available for boards that need to produce or renew their plans.

Districts are expected to meet the 20 education standards set forth by the state in Wis. Stat. § 121.02, which include:

• Providing safe and healthful facilities.
• Complying with Wisc. Stat. §§ 254.11 to 254.178 and any rules put into effect under those sections, such as:
  • Wis. Stat. DHS 163, otherwise known as the Lead Rule. This rule requires any paid workers and/or companies to be certified before they complete any lead remediation or lead abatement work in a child-occupied facility. Lead remediation work can produce a large amount of dangerous lead dust and must be done safely and correctly.
    • Learn more here: The Lead-Safe Renovation Rule

School boards are required to develop a long-range facility maintenance plan.

• The Safe and healthful facilities section of Wis. Stat. § 8.01(2)(i) states:
  • Facilities shall be inspected at least annually for potential or demonstrated hazards to safety and health, and hazardous conditions shall be corrected, compensating devices installed or special arrangements made to provide for safe and healthful facilities.
  • School boards are required to comply with all regulations, state codes, and orders of the Department of Health Services (DHS).

In licensed group child care centers

• No flaking or deteriorating paint can be on exterior or interior surfaces in areas accessible to children (Wis. Stat. § DCF 251.06(2)(i))
• No lead-based paint or other toxic finishing material may be used on indoor or outdoor furnishings and equipment (Wis. Stat. § 251.06(2)(im))

In Head Start centers

A program must develop a plan to prevent children from being exposed to lead in water and paint. In facilities where lead may exist, a program must implement ongoing practices, including testing and inspection at least every two years, with support from trained professionals. As needed, a program must pursue remediation or abatement to prevent lead exposure. (45 CFR § 1302.47)

Wis. stat. ch. DHS 163, or the Lead-Safe Renovation Rule, requires that activities involving lead-based paint in a dwelling or child-occupied facility are done safely without creating or increasing lead hazards.

A child-occupied facility refers to any building (or portion of a building) constructed prior to 1978 that meets any of the following:

• A facility licensed or certified to provide day care services.
• A public or private school or preschool attended by at least one registered child younger than 6 years of age, including a state-operated residential treatment center.
• A building or portion of a building, visited by the same child under 6 years of age, on at least two different days within any week, Sunday through Saturday, provided that each day's visit lasts at least three hours and the combined annual visits last at least 60 hours.
• A structure that is being converted into a child-occupied facility.

If you work in an old building, lead paint and dust may be in your classrooms. Lead can harm both teachers and students.

Keep yourself and your students safe

Get trained on lead hazards. Lead can be in pipes and other surfaces besides paint.

Don't enter work zones. If renovation work is happening in your school, avoid entering work zones.

Make a report if you see unsafe renovation practices. Work zones should be clearly marked with sings and have plastic laid out to capture debris. Concerned about work in your school or child care center? Contact Wisconsin's Certification and Field Compliance Units to submit an anonymous report.

Wash your hands before eating, drinking, or touching your mouth or face.

Don't take lead home. If you think you've been exposed to lead dust from renovation work or deteriorating paint in classrooms, take action to avoid bringing it home.

• Take off your shoes before entering your home.
• Change your clothes and wash them separately.
• Shower.

Regular cleanings and preventative maintenance in schools and child care centers can help keep children safe from lead paint, but, sometimes, renovation work is needed. Lead renovation work makes schools safer, but it can temporarily produce hazardous lead dust. Lead dust can hurt your child's brain is swallowed. Even small amounts can harm a child's IQ and development.

Keep your child lead-safe at school

Encourage hand washing before eating and after playing.

Wipe down shoes and backpacks after school.

Get your child tested for lead. Wisconsin parents are encouraged to have all children tested for lead before age 6. Wisconsin recommends two blood-lead tests by age 2. Learn more about getting your child tested for lead.

Support healthy habits at home. A diet rich in calcium, iron, and vitamin C helps to reduce lead absorption.

Request information. Find out if your child's school or child care center has tested for lead in paint or drinking water.

More resources for Wisconsin parents, guardians, and families

Spread the word! These flyers inform friends and family about how they can keep their children lead-safe in schools:

• Lead Paint Renovation in Schools: Information for Parents and Guardians, P-03720c (PDF)
• Lead Paint Renovation in Schools: Help us keep you and your students safe, P-03720A (PDF)

Lead paint doesn't just hurt kids. Lead exposure can harm people of all ages. If you're an adult worried about lead exposure, reach out to the Adult Lead Program.

Workers, stay safe from lead

Lead paint can be in maintenance areas. Look out for chipping or peeling paint in boiler rooms, closets, and on old walls.

Get trained on lead hazards. Lead can be in pipes and other surfaces besides paint. Learn more about common sources of lead in Wisconsin and their risks.

Ask for and use personal protective equipment (PPE). Use gloves and a mask if you must work with or around lead dust. More PPE, such as coveralls, may be needed if there is a lot of lead dust in the area.

Do not sweep up paint chips. Use a HEPA vacuum, mop, and disposable wipes.

Avoid disturbing peeling paint when cleaning. Don't peel or scrape it off!

Wash your hands before eating, drinking, or touching your mouth or face.

Don't take lead home. If you think you came into contact with lead dust, take off your shoes, change clothes, and shower after work.

Talk to your employer about any concerns, such as dust produced by remediation work, lead paint in work areas, and visible chipping and peeling paint.

Lead can be anywhere in an old building. Help protect your students and staff by building awareness and keeping up with regular maintenance.

Maintain painted surfaces with a lead-based paint management plan

A facility's lead-based paint management plan outlines how a school district will monitor and maintain lead-based paint in buildings and grounds. A comprehensive policy for managing lead-based painted surfaces should include:

• Inspections and risk assessment. Develop a schedule for regular inspections to identify and document all painted surfaces that are chipping, peeling, or in poor condition.
• Interim controls. Employ methods for containing and managing lead-based paint that is in good condition, such as repairing damaged areas promptly and safely.
• Abatement procedures. There are protocols that must be followed for the permanent removal of lead-based paint hazards, which must be performed by certified professionals.
• Training and certification. All staff and contractors who perform work that may disturb lead-based paint must receive training and certification.
• Communication. Develop procedures for notifying staff, parents, and the public about potential lead hazards and risk mitigation efforts.

Protect workers, contractors, and staff from occupational exposure

Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) lead standards should be incorporated into a school policy for contractors, maintenance, and custodial staff. Key areas include:

• Limits on airborne lead concentrations (Permissible Exposure Limit or PEL);
• Requirements for using HEPA vacuums and wet cleaning methods for housekeeping;
• Mandatory training for workers potentially exposed to lead, and;
• The provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Support safe renovation

Ensure that all contractors are certified in lead-safe renovation, repair, and painting.

To learn more about hiring a lead-safe contractor, visit: How to Hire a Lead-Safe Contractor

Build awareness of hazards

Administrators and directors can support lead safety by supporting transparent communication with staff and parents about the risks of lead paint.

• Provide training for staff on how to spot signs of lead hazards.
• Share information with parents about the risks of lead exposure and how the school or child care center is addressing them.
• Post updates on testing, remediation, and maintenance efforts in visible spaces (such as newsletters and websites.)

Apply for assistance

Some state and federal programs may help to cover the costs of testing and remediation.