Lead-Safe Wisconsin: Health Care Guidance for Adults and Children

Caring for children

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has determined that there is no safe level of lead in the blood. Screening programs are the best way to identify children who are at risk for lead poisoning. If a capillary screening test shows elevated blood lead levels, CDC and the Department of Health Services (DHS) recommend performing venous testing to confirm the result.

Children identified as lead poisoned should undergo regular health monitoring and follow-up blood lead testing. Because lead exposure’s effects often aren’t seen until later in life, this includes monitoring a child’s developmental milestones. It also includes nutrition evaluations.

See the CDC’s page on recommended actions based on blood lead level for information on:

  • Schedules for follow-up blood lead testing.
  • Recommendations for follow-up and case management for children.

Information for medical providers

Information to share with families

Caring for children with developmental disorders

Identifying Infants and Young Children with Developmental Disorders in the Medical Home: An Algorithm for Developmental Surveillance and Screening

Emphasizing nutrition

All children need well-balanced meals so they can grow and develop as they should. Consuming plenty of vitamins and minerals—especially calcium, iron, and vitamin C—can help reduce the amount of lead kids absorb.

Here are examples of foods that contain these important vitamins and minerals:

Nutrient: calcium
Examples: milk, cheese, yogurt, kale, collards, turnip greens, canned salmon, and sardines with bones

Nutrient: iron
Examples: lean meats and poultry, seafood, cereals, and breads fortified with iron, peanut butter, nuts, dried beans and peas, raisins, prunes, prune juice, greens such as broccoli and spinach

Nutrient: vitamin C
Examples: tomatoes, oranges, grapefruits, juices, juices fortified with vitamin C, strawberries, kiwi, green peppers, watermelon, cantaloupe, and potatoes

Iron deficiency

People with an iron deficiency absorb two to three times more lead than people with enough iron in their blood. Iron and lead interact and compete in heme synthesis. Even slight decreases in hematocrit can lead to increased lead absorption.

Many 1- and 2-year-olds in the United States don’t take in enough iron. This can lead to lasting cognitive development effects when they’re exposed to lead.

Find more information on iron deficiency in the CDC recommendations to prevent and control iron deficiency in the United States.

Nutrition support information for eligible families of children with lead poisoning

Caring for adults

Most adults with elevated BLLs (roughly 94%) are exposed to lead in the workplace. They can bring lead dust home with them, which can cause children to be exposed. In fact, around two to three percent of children with BLLs of 10 µg/dL or more were exposed to lead this way.

Learn about lead testing in adults, P-01293

If you have questions, call the Wisconsin Adult Lead Program at 608-266-1120 or email dhsocchealth@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Last revised May 21, 2025