The Lead Poisoning Prevention Program provides nursing case management, community education, and promotes awareness to decrease the incidence of lead poisoning in Kalamazoo County’s children and to facilitate the removal of lead hazards from our community. Lead is found in older homes where paint is deteriorating, which creates chips and dust that children consume. Microscopic amounts are enough to poison a child. Your home is at risk if it was built before 1978 when lead based paint was discontinued.
Lead poisoning is especially a problem for children under the age of 6 years old. It can cause long term damage to their brain and nervous system causing learning difficulties, speech, language, and behavior problems. It can also slow growth and cause muscle and joint pain, as well as digestive problems, kidney damage, and high blood pressure.
All children under the age of 6 years old should be screened for lead poisoning by their primary care providers. If the result is greater than 4.5 mcg/dL, they will automatically be referred to the county’s lead prevention nurse for follow up.
Lead can be passed from a pregnant women to her unborn child and through breast milk to baby.
Anyone who works or has hobbies that use lead, such as renovation and painting, mining, battery recycling, refinishing old furniture, auto body work, shooting ranges, stained glass, or pottery.
If you are interested in having your water tested for lead, and are on a municipal water supply, contact the municipality or management of the mobile home park and/or apartment complex. Contact information is provided below. If you are on a private water well, contact the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department’s Environmental Health Division at 269-373-5336.
For the following jurisdictions, contact the public works/water department.
For the following apartment complexes/mobile home communities/other community water supplies, contact management.
Using wet cleaning methods in homes built before 1978 is the best way to control lead dust. Cover areas of chipping paint until environmental clean-up can be completed by a contractor certified in lead removal. More information can be found here: CDC Lead Prevention Tips
Visit MDHHS Learn about Lead or call the lead prevention nurse at 269-373-5080.
311 E. Alcott St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
269-373-5200 (HCS main line)
269-373-5080 (program line)
E-Mail
Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services is committed to providing equitable, culturally competent care to all individuals served, regardless of race, age, sex, color, national origin, religion, height, weight, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
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