A cracking pattern similar to crocodile scales, which indicate the use of lead paint. October 23, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Work to replace lead paint on the outside of an Oshkosh home Thursday is part of a larger initiative by Winnebago County to stop lead exposure.
“Lead paint, in good condition, isn’t a hazard,” said Winnebago County Public Health Director Doug Gieryn. “But if it’s chipping, peeling, caulking, chalking — those are all situations where lead dust can be released in a home environment.”
In 2024, about 80 children in Winnebago County met the exposure cap for lead poisoning. The county’s Lead-Safe Homes Program is aiming to decrease that number for this year and beyond.
“We reach out to every family with a 3.5 micrograms per deciliter blood-lead level or higher,” Gieryn explained. “We offer a visit, send out a nurse, do a walkthrough of the home. Really try to help that family eliminate lead hazards as much as possible.”
Nearly 14,000 homes in the county were built before 1940, giving them a 90% chance of lead-based paint being used. 54% of all homes in the county were built before 1978, which sees a reduced, but still present, risk of exposure.
Joel Courtney, project manager for Weatherization Services, said they work on at least one home a week.
“With the lead paint hazards, we can remove an item. Just replace it all together, so remove the hazard,” he said. “Or, if we can’t remove it completely, we’re going to cover it up or address it somehow, where any deteriorating paint won’t spread everywhere.”
To help fund its lead removal initiative, Winnebago County applied for a Housing and Urban Development grant. However, the county has yet to receive any funding due to the ongoing government shutdown.
In the meantime, the county is using money from its budget to pay for the removal.
“We’re doing everything we can to try and bring more funds in to fund more abatements on more properties and protect more kids,” said Gieryn.
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