Kenosha County Public Health is highlighting the availability of its Live Lead Safe program during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. The initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), aims to reduce lead paint hazards in older homes for residents who meet specific income requirements.
The program is open to both owner-occupied and rental homes with household incomes below HUD-established levels. It can cover up to 85 percent of construction costs related to lead abatement, which may include removal, encapsulation, or replacement of windows, doors, and siding. Homes built before 1978 are eligible for assistance.
Priority is given to homes with children under age six, pregnant women, or residential daycare facilities. Mark Melotik, Environmental Health Manager at Kenosha County Public Health, stated: “Even at low levels, lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, behavioral issues, or other health challenges. The Live Lead Safe program is a valuable resource for families that might not have the means to afford mitigation efforts to make their homes safer.”
The program is administered under a HUD grant and serves residents in both Kenosha and Racine counties. More information about eligibility and application procedures can be found at www.kenoshacountywi.gov/lead.
Kenosha County Public Health also offers tips for those living in pre-1978 homes who have not yet taken steps toward lead mitigation. These include regular cleaning of surfaces with damp paper towels, weekly mopping of smooth floors, removing shoes when entering the house, vacuuming carpets with HEPA filters if possible, carefully disposing of loose paint chips, taking precautions during home renovations to avoid creating lead dust, testing for lead hazards by professionals, and ensuring children receive blood tests for lead exposure at recommended ages.
In Kenosha County schools during the 2023-24 academic year, there were 25,402 students enrolled. Of these students, 55.6% were white (14,124), while Hispanic students accounted for 25.7% (6,528) and Black students made up 10.4% (2,642). American Indian students represented one of the smallest groups at 0.2%. Additional details on school demographics are available from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction at https://dpi.wi.gov/.
For more information about Kenosha County Public Health services visit https://www.kenoshacountywi.gov/health.
