Lead (chemical symbol is Pb) is a naturally occurring metal. It can be found in a wide variety of products in homes, on work sites, and in the environment.
What are some sources of lead in our environment?
Lead-based paint and lead contaminated dust are the main sources of exposure to lead. Historically, organic lead was used in gasoline as an anti-knocking compound. The lead in leaded gasoline resulted in contaminated exhaust and soil, therefore the use of leaded gasoline was phased out. More of a concern today is the historical use of lead in paint, especially in homes built before 1978. Also, lead-based paint is still used in some industrial applications.
Lead in Homes
There are some clues to determine if your family is at risk for lead exposure, one being the year that a house was constructed. Houses built before 1950 are very likely to contain lead-based paint and the deterioration of this paint causes a problem. In 1978, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission banned lead-based paint from being used in residential construction. Only use mini-blinds labeled as "lead-safe" or "no lead added".
How is someone exposed to lead?
Lead can get into your body by breathing it in (contaminated house dust), drinking it (in the case of lead pipes and fixtures), or eating it (chipping paint or dirt). Children are exposed when they either chew on painted surfaces, like window sills or crib rails that have been painted with lead-based paint or when there is deteriorating lead-based paint and they crawl on lead-containing dust and then put their hands into their mouths or breathe in lead-containing dust. In most cases, adults are exposed to lead at work when they perform welding, renovation and remodeling activities, work in smelters, firing ranges, battery manufacture or disposal, and/or the repair/maintenance of water towers or bridges.
Who is at risk?
Children are more sensitive than adults to the effects of lead. All children under the age of 6 years old are at risk because they are growing so rapidly and tend to put their hands, toys, or other objects, into their mouths. Children living at or below the poverty line who live in older housing are at greatest risk.
Most adults are more likely to be exposed to lead from their occupation such as welding, renovation and remodeling activities, maintenance and bridge and water tower repair or from a hobby, such as casting bullets or stained glass making.
How can exposure to Lead affect me?
Lead affects the neurological system, especially in developing children. Exposure to lead during their developmental years has been shown to lower the IQ of children. Lead poisoning can cause comas, seizures, and death in some cases.
For adults, exposure to lead can increase blood pressure, cause fertility problems, nerve disorders, muscle and joint pain, irritability, and memory or concentration problems.
Use this interactive tool to choose Childhood Lead indicators and measures to generate maps, bar charts and trend lines.
Lead poisoning is entirely preventable. The key is stopping children from coming into contact with lead before they are harmed and treating children who have been poisoned by lead. There are many ways to reduce a child's exposure to lead in his/her environment; the first step is to identify any hazards and control or remove them safely.
What can be done to prevent exposure to lead at my residence?
It is important to determine the construction year of the house or the dwelling where your child may spend a large amount of time (e.g., grandparents or daycare). In housing built before 1978, assume that the paint has lead unless tests show otherwise Pregnant women and children should not be present in housing built before 1978 that is undergoing renovation or cleanup.
What can be done to prevent exposure to lead from non-residential sources?