Dunn County Offering Lead Screening Tests for Children

DUNN COUNTY, Wis (WSCM / WCFW) The Dunn County Health Department has announced it will offer lead screening tests for children in the area.

According to a press release, area parents can bring their children to the Dunn County Health Department for a blood test screening. Exposure to lead can cause serious health concerns in anybody, but children are especially vulnerable to long term issues. Children exposed to lead could suffer damage to their brains, leading to learning and behavioral issues as well as problems with hearing, speech and coordination.

The Dunn County Health Department will conduct the blood test on site and provide the results as soon as they’re available. If a test does show lead exposure in a child’s blood, the health department will also provide additional information on next steps. Parents can make an appointment for the screening by calling the health department or visiting their website.

The Dunn County website features further information on how residents can protect themselves and their children from lead exposure. It also contains information on increased risk factors, like living in a home built before 1978 or one that is near industrial facilities like a battery recycling plant.

Testing for lead exposure is not the only proactive public health initiative undertaken by the health department this year. In May, the Dunn County Health Department announced free well water testing for residents this summer. County officials are testing for nitrates in the water supply in an effort to update their well water quality map. The county will also share information on available mitigation resources if those tests do detect nitrates.