Thousands of Milwaukee children are being poisoned by lead paint each year, with health department data revealing a crisis that disproportionately affects families of color and renters across the city.
Watch: Milwaukee children poisoned by lead paint as landlords avoid accountability
Milwaukee children face lead paint poisoning crisis as landlords avoid accountability
TMJ4 Lighthouse journalist Ben Jordan has been investigating this issue for months as part of a new series called “Poisoned by Paint,” which exposes how neglectful landlords continue to endanger children despite fines and lawsuits.
“I think it’s about time that the main issue that affects the children is being addressed,” said Deanna Branch, whose son was poisoned by lead paint. “Nothing is being done about it.”
Milwaukee Health Department data from annual lead surveillance reports indicate that 8% of children aged 5 and younger tested this year were found to have elevated lead levels in their blood. The CDC considers elevated blood lead levels to be at 3.5 micrograms per deciliter and above…