Lead is poisonous, and exposure to lead has a number of health effects, from causing high blood pressure and anemia to permanent damage to the nervous system. A child with lead poisoning is at risk for lowered IQ and attention span, learning disabilities, and developmental delays. A person cannot see physical symptoms of the initial exposure and rising levels, so it is important to have children tested who have risk factors for exposure. A common source of exposure is lead paint that was used in homes prior to being banned in 1978.     

Marathon County intervenes with child blood lead levels at five micrograms/deciliter as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (mandates begin at 10 micrograms/deciliter). It is critical to identify child lead exposure at a lower level with early prevention, because there are few contractors to do lead abatement of properties once levels reach a higher amount. There can be a one to two year waitlist to get a lead abatement contractor onsite and it is very expensive.

Overall, there are fewer children testing above five micrograms per deciliter and more children are living in newer housing stock than ten years ago. Children's blood lead levels are monitored until the child's levels return to less than four micrograms/deciliter.