National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week with SDC and DHS Secretary Karen Timberlake

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) brings people together to raise awareness and reduce lead exposure.

For Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2021, the Social Development Commission (SDC) partnered with Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services (DHS) and local companies. Through this partnership, we are educating the community to help create lead-safe homes.

In 1978, the federal government banned the use of lead-based paint. However the use of lead based products is still very common in homes, especially in Milwaukee County.

“Lead paint is a problem in all 72 counties of our state. It is particularly a problem here in Milwaukee just given the content of older homes,” said DHS Secretary Karen Timberlake said.

Watch this video about the event:

Checkout Fox 6 Now’s coverage of the event: “Removing lead paint in homes; new initiative underway in Milwaukee.”

SDC’s Lead Education and Testing Programs educate Milwaukee County residents about the danger of lead poisoning. Pregnant women and children under six years old are extremely vulnerable to the dangers of lead poisoning.