2025 Midwest Lead Summit

Midwest Lead Summit 2025

Midwest Lead Summit 2025 | Sept. 9, 2025 | Virtual Conference via Zoom
The 2025 Midwest Lead Summit was held online on Sept. 9, 2025. The event brought together over 200 public health experts, policymakers, and community leaders to address pressing issues surrounding lead exposure and public health across the Midwest. 

If you missed this event, want to rewatch a presentation or would like to view a session that you did not attend, please check out the presentation summaries, recordings and resources below!

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Presentations & Resources

"Lead in Drinking Water: Overlooked Sources and Vulnerable Consumers"

Presented by David Cwiertny, Director, Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination

In this informative and engaging presentation, David Cwiertny discusses overlooked sources of lead in drinking water and the risks they pose to vulnerable populations, particularly infants and residents of manufactured housing communities.

The presentation emphasizes that while federal efforts focus on removing lead service lines, other sources, such as household plumbing and premise fixtures, also contribute to contamination. Cwiertny’s team’s research utilizes metal data and predictive modeling to more accurately identify where lead enters water systems and to inform targeted interventions.

David also highlights problems with unregulated water kiosks, which can release lead despite advertising “purified” water, further undermining public trust. He concluded by stressing the need for broader testing, improved oversight, and stronger protections for communities disproportionately affected by lead exposure.

"Lessons Learned from Mississippi’s Sip Safe Program"

Presented by Justin Palmer, Mississippi State University Extension 

In this presentation, Justin Palmer discusses Mississippi's Sip Safe Program, which tests for and addresses lead in drinking water at childcare centers and elementary schools. Active since 2019 and funded by the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, the program focuses on thorough fixture sampling, community education, and effective remediation.

Justin highlights challenges such as recruiting facilities, using clear language for public engagement, and adapting sampling protocols. He also introduces a new remediation initiative that reimburses facilities for replacing contaminated fixtures and shares encouraging data showing most samples are below concerning lead levels.

Looking ahead, the program aims to expand sampling coverage statewide, strengthen partnerships with utilities, and reduce childhood lead exposure.

"Preparing Public Health Professionals with Universities"

Presented by Lynelle Phillips, RN MPH, Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Public Health/College of Health Sciences, University of Missouri  

This presentation focuses on Lynelle’s work to educate students about the public health implications of lead exposure through two case studies.

The first case study examines the Herculaneum lead smelter in Missouri, highlighting its environmental impact and the health risks associated with lead exposure in the community. This case also discusses how advocacy efforts led to the lowering of national ambient air quality standards, demonstrating the effectiveness of evidence-based policy changes.

The second case study looks at the ethically controversial Baltimore lead study. This case was used in an ethics course to engage students in debates about research consent and the implications of lead remediation in low-income communities.

Phillips emphasizes the ongoing relevance of lead exposure issues and connects historical cases to current challenges, such as the resurgence of mining activities and health disparities in low-income housing.

"Raising Public Health Issues in Hispanic Communities"

Presented by Dr. Drew Colcher, Wichita State University

This presentation examines how language barriers affect healthcare access for Hispanic and indigenous-language-speaking communities in Kansas. It highlights the federal requirements for interpretation services and the gaps in enforcement, particularly in rural areas.

Research findings reveal issues such as limited interpreter training, overreliance on family for translation, and financial challenges faced by healthcare providers. Focusing on lead exposure risks in southeast Kansas, the presentation concludes with recommendations to strengthen interpreter certification, develop comprehensive language access plans, and enhance community outreach to promote equity in healthcare delivery.

"Lead Service Lines: Chemistry and Water Quality"

Presented by Dr. Edward Peltier, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Kansas School of Engineering

This presentation by Dr.Ted Peltier focuses on the risks associated with lead service lines in drinking water systems. Dr. Peltier explains why lead remains a significant issue, citing its historical use in plumbing, its long lifespan, and the high costs associated with replacement.

The talk discusses how lead contaminates water through mechanisms such as corrosion, stagnation, and galvanic reactions. It also provides updates on new sampling and monitoring rules under the revised Lead and Copper Rule.

Dr. Peltier emphasizes that the most effective strategies for mitigating lead exposure are full service line replacements and consistent corrosion control, particularly through orthophosphate treatment. He warns that partial replacements and disruptions to the system can often increase risks.

The presentation concludes that effectively addressing lead contamination requires careful management of water chemistry, replacement of infrastructure, and ongoing monitoring.

"Reducing Human Exposure to Lead in Soil"

Presented by Dr. Ganga Hettiarachchi, K-State Soil and Environmental Chemistry 

Dr. Ganga Hettiarachchi presents strategies to reduce human exposure to lead in soils, focusing on studies in Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas City, Kansas. Her presentation explains that while soil excavation is a common approach, it is costly, disruptive, and impractical for widespread, mild contamination. Instead, her research explores reducing lead bioavailability—the fraction absorbed by humans—through soil amendments like phosphorus, which transforms lead into less soluble minerals.

Dr. Hettiarachchi shares how field and laboratory studies demonstrate significant reductions in lead bioaccessibility, with phosphorus treatments and soil covers offering promising and cost-effective mitigation options. Her presentation emphasizes community collaboration, practical applications for urban neighborhoods, and the importance of protecting children from lead exposure.

Speaker Bio

Dr. Ganga Hettiarachchi, Professor, Soil & Environmental Chemistry, K-State UniversityDr. Ganga Hettiarachchi is one of the world’s leading scientists in the fields of trace metal and nutrient chemistry in soils. Her research at K-State focuses on understanding the chemistry of both nutrient and contaminant elements in soils, with the goal of developing solutions to agricultural or environmental problems. For example one of her current projects, goal is to find ways to remediate underutilized, mildly contaminated soils (often call “brownfields”) into soils suitable for productive use, such as community gardens. Another project focuses on understanding reaction products of fertilizers in soils to find ways to increase the fertilizer use efficiency. Full Bio

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"Children’s Mercy Healthy Homes Program"

Presented by Ryan Allenbrand, MS, CIEC, HHS, Environmental Hygienist, Program Manager of Health Homes at Children’s Mercy 

This presentation focuses on the Healthy Homes Program at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, which addresses childhood lead exposure and related health risks. Ryan discusses the health effects of lead poisoning, emphasizing that no level of lead is safe and that low-income and minority families are disproportionately impacted due to older housing and limited resources. He explains the program’s home investigation process, which includes health assessments, environmental testing, family education, and follow-up support.

The presentation also features a case study that highlights how social and economic factors complicate families’ ability to address hazards. This underscores the importance of education, collaboration, and creative low-cost solutions. The presentation concludes by stressing the need for partnerships, training, and community outreach to reduce exposure and improve children’s long-term health outcomes.

"Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Updates"

Speakers from state and national lead poisoning prevention programs provide updates. Click on a speaker below to skip to their presentation, or view the entire recording by clicking the dropdown "View Presentation" button below.

• Amanda Beckett, Iowa Health and Human Services
• Jessica Willard, Kansas Department of Health and Environment
• Teresa Wortmann, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
• Brian Coyle, Nebraska Department of Human and Health Services
• Cory Kokko, CDC, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

General Resources

• EPA's State Implementation Guidance for Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) Retained Elements
• EPA educational and outreach materials highlighting risks from heavy metals in cultural products, including spices, food products, cosmetics, cookware and other products. Also includes translated resources.
• Pb Possum Plays it Safe Kid's Activity and Parent Lead Information Book - English
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7 – Children’s Lead Safety Outreach Materials for Superfund Sites - Free Downloadable Template: Colorful Stickers or Buttons (Print on Avery Presta 94513 Round Labels.)
• U.S. EPA Lead Webpage in Spanish
• Lead Poisoning and Your Children Pamphlet - translated in Arabic, Chinese simplified, Chinese traditional, Dari, English, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Pashto, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese 
• CDC Outreach Resoursces on prevention of childhood lead poisoning in English and Spanish
• National Center for Healthy Housing Lead Health Listservs

This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under a cooperative agreement with the Environmental Finance Center at Wichita State University. The contents of this website do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does the EPA endorse trade names or recommend the use of commercial products mentioned.