Thousands of children in Milwaukee are feared to have been exposed to a toxin linked to cancer and autism due to crumbling school classrooms.
At least eight schools were found to have lead-based paint that is chipping and producing toxic dust that when inhaled can lead to a host of health problems.
Several schools have had to temporarily close for remediation efforts after high levels of the toxins were found in students’ blood.
Kat Cisar, a mother of six-year-old twins, learned in February that her children had been exposed. Her kids’ school is one of those forced to shut since the public health crisis emerged late last year.
Health officials now plan to use the summer to inspect half of the district’s 100 schools built before 1978, when lead paint was banned, in time for classes to go back in the fall.
The remaining schools will be inspected before the end of the year.
But parents are worried that timeline means that young children could potentially be exposed to the toxic metal which is known to damage the brain.
Lead has been linked to learning disabilities, along with damage to the kidneys, reproductive, cardiovascular, and digestive systems, and, potentially, autism spectrum disorder.
Since the first child tested for lead late last year, three other children have tested positive.
More lead screenings are being made available in the city, such as at North Division High School. Officials setting up tables there have the capacity to test about 300 students.
Milwaukee schools’ water has also tested positive for lead, potentially affecting children at water fountains and bathroom faucets.
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