Officials accused of failing to notify families of elevated lead levels in kids; mayor is "angry, disappointed"

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced on Friday, January 12th that officials with the Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) failed to adequately notify families of children who have been tested for lead -- and exhibited elevated levels of lead in their blood. The mayor said there has been "mismanagement and significant shortfalls in how (the MHD) follows up with families."

"I am angry, disappointed," said Mayor Barrett."

The mayor indicated every year approximately 25,000 children receive blood lead tests from a clinic or health provider. In Milwaukee, Barrett said around 3,000 of those tests come back as "elevated." Barrett said each health provider has a duty to notify any families of results indicating elevated lead levels -- and then conduct follow-up testing. The mayor believes this has indeed been happening.

Mayor Barrett said the Milwaukee Health Department receives the same reports -- and is supposed to notify the family of the result  -- and take appropriate action. That notification could be in the form of a letter or a home visit.

"It is not clear whether this occurred consistently," Barrett said, referring to the health department's part in the two-part notification. "Out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a communication to every family with a child with an elevated blood level."

The city will be sending out approximately 8,000 letters.

"In addition, 6,000 of these letters are going to families with lowest threshold of elevated lead levels," Barrett said.

These letter cover three years of testing.

Mayor Barrett said he was made aware of this lead testing problem last week. Alderman Michael Murphy said he got wind of the lead testing problem in late December -- and sent a letter to Health Commissioner Bevan Baker.

"I've asked the mayor to be transparent and forthright with the citizens of this community -- and at the same time, I believe it's appropriate for the council to investigate this matter and get to the bottom of it," Murphy said.

The mayor said he met with Baker -- and both agreed it was best that he resign.

The Milwaukee Common Council issued the following statement related to this issue:

Alderman Mark Borkowski issued the following statement:

The problems with the lead prevention program have aldermen looking for answers.

"One thing that is for sure, is there's going to be some very dramatic and very serious action that's going to take place," said Milwaukee Aldermen Tony Zielinski.

Others are demanding more accountability.

"I don't want to say that this is going to be the next Flint, Michigan, but you know what? It sure kind of looks like it," said Milwaukee Aldermen Mark Borkowski.