City observes October 25-31 as National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
Published on October 29, 2026
The City of Kalamazoo Department of Public Services and Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) are observing October 25 to October 31 as National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. This month’s observance is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s commitment for addressing ongoing lead exposure concerns.
Lead is a heavy metal that was used in construction and household paint before 1978. Although it has been banned in residential paint, it remains a hazard in older homes. Lead is dangerous for humans, especially in children. Even very low levels of lead in children’s bodies are linked to negative effects on intellect, concentration, behavior, and academic achievement. The most common ways to get lead poisoning are dust from friction surfaces and deteriorating paint throughout a home.
Kalamazoo’s focus on lead prevention during Lead Poisoning Prevention Week will include a free training and panel discussion on lead exposure and its impact on health. The training and discussion will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, October 29, at Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services (KNHS), located at 1219 S. Park St. in Kalamazoo. The event is hosted by Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services and KNHS, and is open to the public. Free water filters will also be provided to attendees.
Persons interested in the training may contact Markeva Love at Markeva.Love@kalcounty.gov or call (269) 385-8541.
For years, the City of Kalamazoo has been involved in confronting the dangers of lead poisoning. Kalamazoo, for example, began its Lead-Based Paint Hazard Remediation Program in 2018 through a partnership with KNHS. The KNHS program addresses lead hazards in older homes at no cost to the residents. The City since then has also had a HUD grant for its remediation program; to date, 69 homes have been made lead safe, and several more are currently in progress. Information on the City’s remediation program and eligibility can be found here.
The City of Kalamazoo also provides free lead and copper testing to customers upon request. NSF Certified point-of-use filters are also provided at no charge to homes within the water supply system. Public Works staff have handed out thousands of water filters, including more than 8,500 filters alone in 2022, and more than 7,100 and counting so far through August this year. Customers are urged to call 311 or (269) 337-8000 for questions about these services or to arrange for free lead sampling.
More information on Kalamazoo’s ongoing commitment to protecting the community from lead hazards and replacing all lead water service lines can be found here. Outside the City, Kalamazoo County has a Lead Poisoning Prevention Program including a designated nurse to help educate families about early lead testing and to decrease the incidence of lead poisoning in children.
Anyone with concerns about their child and lead poisoning can go to the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department, located at 311 E. Alcott St. Information on the county program can be found here.