Door County will benefit from federal approval of state plans to test for lead in the homes of low-income families.  The Wisconsin Department of Health Services initiative would check the homes of families and pregnant women who are enrolled in BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid.  Door County Public Health Nurse Katie VanLaanen says any effort to help test for lead poisoning in children is welcomed.  She says the effort starts with a simple blood draw and then determining possible sources if those blood test results merit.

VanLaanen says lead abatement efforts include recommending wet dusting or wet mopping when cleaning a home to prevent spreading lead-based dust from spreading.  Another recommendation is to feed younger children regularly to reduce the temptation to nibble at falling paint chips when hungry and absorb some lead that may have been ingested.