This action is part of an accelerated, across-the-board effort to reduce the risk of exposure to lead in drinking water while the city replaces all lead service lines.Īdditional dates and locations for bottled water pick up will be added to make sure community needs are met. The ongoing response in Benton Harbor includes the city, Berrien County Health Department, local community organizations, MDHHS and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
To arrange water delivery to homebound or residents without transportation in the city of Benton Harbor, contact 211, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Staff will also provide COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses as well as flu shots during the event.īlood lead testing for children is also being offered through the WIC program and the Berrien County Health Department by calling 80 or visiting for more information.įree bottled water continues to be provided by MDHHS and local, paid residents as City of Benton Harbor residents are being encouraged to use bottled water for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, rinsing foods and mixing powdered infant formula. In an effort to provide city residents with additional access to safe, clean drinking water, InterCare has purchased and will have bottled water available for test participants while supplies last. No appointments are necessary, and InterCare is located at 800 M-139 and can be reached by calling 85. For individuals who have elevated blood lead levels, the goals are to identify the source of lead, stop the lead exposure and to talk with their doctor to discuss any other tests or follow-up that might be needed.Ĭhildren less than 6 years old with an elevated blood lead level are offered nurse case management through the Berrien County Health Department, which includes a home visit with a registered nurse. for City of Benton Harbor residents, announced the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) today.Īlthough blood lead tests cannot tell you if you were exposed to lead in the past, testing is particularly important for young children and pregnant persons because exposure to lead early in life has been shown to cause problems with learning, behavior, hearing and growth. InterCare Family Health Network is hosting a blood lead testing event on Saturday, Nov.
Free blood lead testing event hosted by InterCare Family Health Network for City of Benton Harbor residents on Nov.