Milwaukee announced Monday the temporary closure of two more schools as the city works to address a lead crisis in its public schools. The district is also presenting an updated plan to tackle the flaking and chalking paint in aging buildings that’s suspected to be the cause of elevated blood lead levels in four students this year. The new school closures impact elementary schools, Westside Academy, and the Brown Street School. Two other elementary schools also remain closed: Starms Early Childhood Education Center and LaFollette School. In total, the Milwaukee public school district has announced the closure of nine schools so far this year to address lead hazards. The city’s school district and health department are in the process of inspecting nearly 100 buildings in the district that were built before 1978, the year lead was banned from paint. They expect the work to continue through the summer. The new lead plan outlines the process the district will follow to assess and remediate its schools. It starts with a visual inspection of each building, and based on that, the building will be classified as low, medium or high risk. Schools at medium and high risk will receive additional testing for lead and could be subject to full or partial closures for abatement. It also says the schools are developing a plan to test adults that might be exposed to lead in schools, such as custodians. The city has also trying to screen more students for lead in their blood. They had been working with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on a testing strategy when the agency’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program was cut, leaving the city without federal help. The CDC also denied the city’s request for EpiAid, a short-term loan of epidemiologists to help guide and staff their response. Denials of EpiAid requests are rare but have happened in the past if the program doesn’t think it can meet the requestor’s needs, said Dr. Eric Pevzner, chief of the CDC’s epidemiology and laboratory branch and its Epidemic Intelligence Service. “Obviously, in this case, we no longer had the expertise at CDC to support that request,” Pevzner said in an interview. Last week, Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Rep. Gwen Moore, both Democrats, sent a letter to US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., urging him to reinstate the CDC’s lead experts. “You have the ability to immediately rectify this issue, and we urge you to do so,” they wrote. The crisis was discovered after a child tested positive for a high level of lead in their blood late last year. An environmental inspection found no significant sources of lead in the child’s home or in relatives’ homes, but did find peeling lead paint in a basement bathroom in the child’s school. They also found high levels of lead in the dust around windowsills and floors. The city of Milwaukee, which has a large share of older homes, has a long history of lead problems. In some areas on its north side, health department data show about 1 in 5 children tested positive for elevated blood lead levels between 2018 and 2021. The current crisis, however, is the first time lead poisoning in kids has been linked to the city’s schools. One of the most cost-effective ways to control lead exposure from old paint is to keep it sealed it under paint. The school district had fallen behind in its efforts to do that. In a report to the state legislature last year, the district disclosed more than $265 million in deferred maintenance for its schools. So far, three other children in the district have also been found to have elevated levels of lead in their blood. Typically, babies are tested for lead through finger-prick blood tests in the doctor’s office at 1 or 2 years of age. That screening doesn’t typically extend to school-age kids. The Milwaukee Public School District and the Milwaukee Department of Health have recommended that kids in the district see their doctor for screening, and they’ve also hosted some school-based clinics to make the testing more convenient for families. The next lead screening clinic is scheduled for May 7. The health department had hoped to do more of these with the CDC’s help but says it will continue to do as much as it can with the resources it has.
Milwaukee announces additional school closures and new plan to address lead paint hazards as contamination crisis deepens
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Milwaukee Closes More Schools Amid Ongoing Lead Contamination Crisis"
CNN
8.0
TruthLens AI Summary
Milwaukee has announced the temporary closure of two additional schools, Westside Academy and Brown Street School, as the city grapples with a growing lead contamination crisis affecting its public school system. This decision comes as part of a broader strategy to address the lead hazards posed by deteriorating paint in aging school buildings, which has been linked to elevated blood lead levels in students this year. With these latest closures, a total of nine schools in the district have been shut down to ensure the safety of students and staff. The Milwaukee Public Schools and the local health department are actively inspecting nearly 100 school buildings constructed before 1978, the year when lead was banned from paint, and they anticipate that this inspection process will extend through the summer months. The updated lead remediation plan includes visual inspections of each building, categorizing them into low, medium, or high-risk categories based on the condition of the paint and the potential for lead exposure. Schools identified as medium or high risk will undergo further testing and may face full or partial closures for necessary abatement work.
In response to the crisis, the city is also working to increase blood lead screening among students, particularly after a child tested positive for high lead levels, prompting an environmental inspection that revealed significant lead hazards at the school. The situation has drawn attention from state officials, with Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin and Representative Gwen Moore urging federal health authorities to reinstate CDC support for the city's lead response efforts. Despite the challenges, including the recent denial of federal assistance from the CDC, the Milwaukee health department is committed to continuing lead screenings and has organized school-based clinics to facilitate testing for families. The next screening clinic is set for May 7, as local health officials strive to mitigate lead exposure risks amidst an ongoing public health concern that has historically affected children in the area, particularly in neighborhoods with older housing stock.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the ongoing lead contamination crisis in Milwaukee's public schools, emphasizing the city's response through school closures and a new remediation plan. It reflects the serious public health concerns and the measures being taken to ensure the safety of students and staff amidst growing alarm over lead exposure.
Public Health Concern
The announcement of school closures is a direct response to elevated blood lead levels found in students, underscoring the urgency of the situation. By temporarily shutting down schools like Westside Academy and Brown Street School, the district aims to protect children from potential health hazards associated with lead paint. This proactive measure might be intended to demonstrate accountability and concern for public health, reinforcing the narrative that the authorities are taking significant steps to address the issue.
Community Perception
The article likely aims to create a sense of urgency and concern within the community regarding lead exposure risks. By detailing the number of school closures and the inspection plans, the article influences public perception about the safety of educational environments. It may also foster a dialogue about the historical neglect of maintaining school facilities, especially those built before the 1978 lead paint ban.
Hidden Agendas?
While the article focuses on lead hazards, it may obscure other underlying issues such as funding inadequacies or systemic failures in addressing infrastructure problems in public schools. The lack of federal support from the CDC, particularly the denial of EpiAid, may also suggest challenges in resource allocation and prioritization, potentially diverting attention from broader systemic issues that contribute to the crisis.
Manipulative Elements
The use of alarming statistics regarding school closures and lead exposure could be seen as manipulative, aiming to provoke a strong emotional response from the public. This tactic may serve to rally community support for more funding or political action while emphasizing the urgency of the problem without fully exploring the causes or long-term solutions.
Comparative Context
When compared to similar news articles regarding public health crises, this report may share themes of governmental response and public safety but could also stand out due to its focus on educational environments. The connection with previous public health alerts about lead exposure could further contextualize the gravity of the situation, linking local issues with national trends.
Potential Economic and Political Impact
The ongoing crisis may have significant implications for local politics and funding for education. Increased public awareness could lead to demands for greater investment in school infrastructure and health initiatives, impacting budget allocations and political campaigns.
Community Engagement
This news likely resonates with parents, educators, and health advocates who are concerned about children's welfare. It aims to engage these stakeholders by highlighting the risks and necessary precautions being taken, potentially fostering a collaborative environment for addressing such crises.
Market Influence
While the article primarily focuses on public health, it could indirectly influence markets related to construction, health services, and educational materials. Companies involved in lead remediation or facility upgrades may see increased demand, while public funding for education may also be scrutinized more closely.
Global Relevance
In terms of global implications, the article reflects a growing awareness of public health issues related to environmental hazards, similar to trends observed in other cities facing similar crises. This aligns with broader discussions about childhood safety and health standards worldwide.
It is unlikely that AI was directly involved in the writing of this article, but automated tools could have been used for data gathering or formatting. The narrative style and focus suggest a human touch aimed at community impact rather than a purely analytical approach.
The article appears reliable, with credible sources and factual reporting on public health issues. However, it should be viewed with an understanding of the broader context of systemic challenges in public education and health responses.