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Two cases of lead poisoning were reported in Kosciusko County since 2002, according to information from the health department.
But according to Warsaw Housing Authority Executive Director Pam Kennedy, the number doesn't properly represent the actual cases that have occurred over the years.
Lead poisoning incidents discovered by private physicians might not have been considered in the health department's records.
"Maybe we have a hole here that needs fixed," Kennedy said.
Kosciusko County's Lead-Safe Task Force met Tuesday to hear a presentation from Dave McCormick regarding Marion County's efforts to identify and resolve lead poisoning cases.
McCormick, a lead program manager of the Marion County Health Department, stressed the need for Kosciusko to properly locate lead poisoning cases as well as pinpoint hazardous areas where contamination is likely.
"If kids broke out with green spots when they had lead poisoning, then we'd get more attention," McCormick said. "But that's not the case.
"Symptoms are harder to identify and parents may not always be able to recognize what's taking place."
Children under the age of 12 often have the highest vulnerability to lead poisoning, which can be contracted from paint dust, contaminated soil and unregulated consumer products.
A large majority of cases are caused by paint, which is present in houses constructed before 1978. According to statistics presented during Tuesday's meeting, 27 percent of Warsaw and Winona Lake housing falls into this category.
In 2005, the task force reported 14 cases of lead elimination inside of residential properties, five of which housed children.
Now the organization is focusing attention on obtaining proper medical information involving lead paint cases.
Health department lead testing reportedly was down in 2005, and could have resulted from tuberculosis findings in the county, Kennedy said.
"They were reacting to something that was here and required a lot of their manpower," Kennedy said.
Members suggested contacting Warsaw's Women Infants & Children for additional test results.
"The direction for the task force is to get WIC involved," Bob Hallmen, of Greentree Environmental, said. "They have the highest exposure to kids, and we could get a much better idea of where we stand."
"They could easily be our greatest asset," Carol Droke, of Warsaw's Head Start, said.
Kennedy said she would encourage representatives from both the health department and WIC to attend the March meeting.
Along with creating partnerships with additional county organizations, the task force hopes to create informational packets both in English and Spanish to educate a wider range of the population.
