July 28, 2016
Secretary Tom Engels
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
1 West Wilson Street
Madison, WI 53703-3445
Dear Secretary Engels:
Although I appreciate the Department’s response to my letter regarding childhood lead
poisoning in Wisconsin, I find it unacceptable. It is not enough to simply consider the issue for
the last five years without taking any action.
In fact, Wisconsin statute § 254.156 requires DHS to modify the definition of “lead poisoning or
lead exposure” whenever the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changes their
threshold. I have enclosed a Legislative Council memo that reiterates this fact.
I recognize that lowering the standard for childhood lead poisoning has a corresponding
monetary effect. However, according to DHS’ own calculations, childhood lead poisoning is
costing Wisconsin billions of dollars. In 2010, DHS estimated that if no children aged zero to six
were exposed to lead, “a total of $28 billion in costs and earnings would be saved.”
Therefore, I ask that you factor in the cost of lowering the threshold at which Wisconsin
considers children to be lead poisoned to bring in in line with the CDC’s recommendations when
you submit your 2017-19 budget request. In the meantime, is DHS going to comply with
Wisconsin law and adopt the CDC lead poisoning standard that you are statutorily directed to?
Thank you for your prompt response.
Sincerely,

Representative Chris Taylor
76th Assembly District