MPS lead exposure: Trowbridge School could reopen, clinics set up
Screening clinic set for students
Officials with the Milwaukee Health Department and Milwaukee Public Schools on Friday, March 7 offered an update on its efforts to test for lead exposure and remove lead dangers from schools.
MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee school shut down for dangerous lead levels could reopen soon, though the health department said parts of the building would need to remain closed.
Big picture view:
Trowbridge School in Bay View was closed all week. The Milwaukee Health Department said it could technically reopen on Monday, but it would have to keep five rooms closed until they are deemed safe.
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It is up to the school district to make the final call on whether students return. MPS announced it will not reopen the school on Monday. Instead, the district will continue cleaning on Monday with re-test results expected by the middle of the week. If clearance requirements are met, it could reopen as soon as Friday, March 14.
The backstory:
MHD's February inspection found cracking, peeling, buckling paint on the walls, windowsills and doors of Trowbridge School. The old paint was coming through. The health department originally found first-floor windowsills averaged 45 times higher than federal lead safety standards.
All week, Trowbridge School students and teachers have traveled five miles to attend school at Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning.
Trowbridge School
Dig deeper:
Crews have been deep cleaning and painting Trowbridge School in response to that inspection. The city re-tested the building and found most of the problems have been dealt with. Fifty-five samples came back passing federal safety levels, but five still failed. Those rooms will have to stay closed.
Four MPS schools are under health department inspection this year after five students across the district had high levels of lead in their blood.
MHD, MPS lead investigation update
Officials with the Milwaukee Health Department and Milwaukee Public Schools are offering an update on its efforts to remove lead dangers from schools.
"This is really a call to action for parents that have younger children in particular to start getting your kids back into your pediatrician for blood screening," said Michael Totoraitis, the city's health commissioner. "This is going to be a team effort to make sure the residents of our city are safe."
"Our staff has been working really hard at Trowbridge to ensure that the school is ready to welcome students back," said Michael Harris, MPS interim chief school administration officer. "We are about a week out before spring break, so we know that that's going to give us some time to get some things done. But we still remain committed to ensuring that our schools are at the levels where they need to be, and to have our students return."
What's next:
The health department will start visual inspections at 10 more schools next week, two each day. MHD asked the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to send workers to help.
Also next week, the health department and community groups start lead testing clinics for students who attend Golda Meir, Kagel, Trowbridge and Maryland Avenue Montessori schools. The clinic will be held at Bradley Tech High School, at 4th and National. It will be open from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
In partnership with MPS, Sixteenth Street and Children’s Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Health Department will also provide lead screenings for MPS students. Officials noted if parents have concerns prior to the Bradley Tech screening date, they should reach out to their pediatricians.
Children’s Wisconsin Next Door Clinic
- Begins March 20
- Every Tuesday and Thursday, 1-4 p.m.
- Walk-in clinic, no appointment needed
MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary
- Free lead testing clinics for kids under 10 years old
- Available on select Saturdays (contact the organization)
Sixteenth Street Parkway Clinic
- Wednesday, March 12
- 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Sixteenth Street - Chavez Clinic
- Tuesday, March 18
- 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
How to limit exposure
What you can do:
Health officials said wet dusting and mopping at home at least twice a week can minimize the risk of lead exposure. Children should wash their hands with soap and water, especially before meals and after play.
If you have or suspect you may have lead pipes, run faucets on cold for three minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. Residents should also cover or block lead hazards, like chipping paint, and keep children away from those areas.
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Diets rich in iron, calcium and vitamin C can help reduce lead absorption, the health department said.
For questions related to lead exposure, MPS families can contact Health Services Manager Tashanda Edelen at 414-438-3539.
For additional resources and educational materials, as well as general information on how to keep your child and home lead-safe, visit the Milwaukee Health Department's website, or call the MHD Lead Program at 414-286-2165.
The Source: The information in this post was provided by the Milwaukee Health Department, Milwaukee Public Schools and previous FOX6 News coverage.