Lead Abatement Delays for Children in Wisconsin
Author Information
Author(s): Kristina M. Zierold, Bruce P. Lanphear
Primary Institution: Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
How long does it take to remove lead from homes of children with elevated blood lead levels?
Conclusion
Lead abatement for children in Wisconsin often takes more than a year, with significant racial disparities in cleanup times.
Supporting Evidence
- The median time for lead abatement was 465 days.
- 45% of children experienced abatement taking more than 18 months.
- 18% of children had cleanup within 6 months.
- By 1999, lead-safety improvements were completed within 6 months in 31% of homes.
Takeaway
Some kids have to wait a really long time to get the lead out of their homes, and it takes longer for some families than others.
Methodology
The study examined housing data from 1996 to 1999 for children with first-time blood lead levels between 20 and 40 μg/dL.
Potential Biases
Racial disparities were noted, with homes of white children being cleaned up faster than those of black children.
Limitations
The study did not assess participants' socioeconomic status.
Participant Demographics
Approximately 70% of the children in the study were black.
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