Milwaukee mails letters to 6,428 families whose children may have elevated lead levels

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said Friday that the city is sending letters to 6,428 families whose children had blood tests in recent years that showed "they may have been exposed to lead and need additional testing or services."

"We are moving forward with our plan to ensure all families will receive the proper follow-up regarding a child with an elevated blood level," Barrett said during a news conference at City Hall.

Some letters were mailed Friday, with another batch to go out Monday, Barrett said. Most families are expected to receive the letters Tuesday.

 An information hotline at (414) 286-8800 will be launched Monday, with a testing schedule set up at three walk-in clinics, two on the north side and one on the south side.

This week, the Common Council launched an investigation into the Milwaukee Health Department and its management of the city's lead abatement efforts. The move came in the wake of the resignation of Bevan Baker as health commissioner.

Barrett said it was important to mail the letters out of an abundance of caution.

He said an intensive review of records showed "far too many children received the preliminary test results without a subsequent confirmatory test."

"We want families to do everything they can to check the status of their child and receive the services or the information for their child that is necessary," Barrett said.

Tests are scheduled Monday from 3 p.m to 6 p.m. and Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Southside Health Center, 1639 S. 23d St.; Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Northwest Health Center, 7630 W. Mill Road; and Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Keenan Health Center, 3200 N. 36th St.

Additional hours may be added.