LEAD: Health Effects

In the United States, about 900,000 children ages 1 to 5 have a blood-lead level above the level of concern.  Even children who appear healthy can have dangerous levels of lead in their bodies.  People can get lead in their body if they: (1) Put their hands or other objects covered with lead dust in their mouths; (2) Eat paint chips or soil that contains lead; (3) Breathe in lead dust (especially during renovations that disturb painted surfaces).

Lead is even more dangerous to children than adults because (1)  Babies and young children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths. These objects can have lead dust on them; (2) Children’s growing bodies absorb more lead; (3) Children’s brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead; (4) If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from:

Damage to the brain and nervous system;
Behavior and learning problems;
Slowed growth;
Hearing problems;
Headaches;

Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults can suffer from:

Difficulties during pregnancy;
Other reproductive problems;
High blood pressure;
Digestive problems;
Nerve disorders;
Memory and concentration problems;
Muscle and joint pain;

WHERE IS LEAD FOUND?

In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint. Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint.  The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978.  Some states stopped its use even earlier.  Lead can be found: In homes in the city, country, or suburbs; In apartments, single-family homes, and both private and public housing; Inside and outside of the house; In soil around a home. (Soil can pick up lead from exterior paint, or other sources such as past use of leaded gas in cars.) ; Household dust. (Dust can pick up lead from deteriorating lead-based paint or from soil tracked into a home.); Drinking water. Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. Call your local health department or water supplier to find out about testing your water. You cannot see, smell, or taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of lead. If you think your plumbing might have lead in it: (1) Use only cold water for drinking and cooking; (2) Run water for 15 to 30 seconds before drinking it, especially if you have not used your water for a few hours;

Lead might also be found on the jobsite. If you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes. Shower and change clothes before coming home. Launder your work clothes separately from the rest of your family’s clothes.

Other sources of lead include old painted toys and furniture; Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain; Lead smelters or other industries that release lead into the air; Hobbies that use lead, such as making pottery or stained glass, or refinishing furniture; Folk remedies that contain lead, such as “greta” and “azarcon” used to treat an upset stomach.

WHERE IS LEAD LIKELY TO BE A HAZARD?

Lead from paint chips, which you can see, and lead dust, which you can’t always see, can be serious hazards. Peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking lead-based paint is a hazard and needs immediate attention.

Lead-based paint may also be a hazard when found on surfaces that children can chew or that get a lot of wear-and-tear.  These areas include: Windows and window sills; Doors and door frames; Stairs, railings, and banisters; Porches and fences; Note: Lead-based paint that is in good condition is usually not a hazard.

Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is dry scraped, dry sanded, or heated. Dust also forms when painted surfaces bump or rub together. Lead chips and dust can get on surfaces and objects that people touch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when people vacuum, sweep, or walk through it.

Lead in soil can be a hazard when children play in bare soil or when people bring soil into the house on their shoes. Contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) to find out about testing soil for lead.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MY FAMILY?

Get your children and home tested if you think your home has high levels of lead. Just knowing that a home has lead-based paint may not tell you if there is a hazard. To reduce your child’s exposure to lead, get your child checked, have your home tested (especially if your home has paint in poor condition and was built before 1978), and fix any hazards you may have.

Children’s blood lead levels tend to increase rapidly from 6 to 12 months of age, and tend to peak at 18 to 24 months of age.

Consult your doctor for advice on testing your children.  A simple blood test can detect high levels of lead. Blood tests are important for: (1) Children at ages 1 and 2; (2) Children and other family members who have been exposed to high levels of lead.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR HOME

You can get your home checked in one of two ways, or both: A paint inspection tells you the lead content of every different type of painted surface in your home. It won’t tell you whether the paint is a hazard or how you should deal with it.

A risk assessment tells you if there are any sources of serious lead exposure (such as peeling paint and lead dust). It also tells you what actions to take to address these hazards.

Have qualified professionals do the work. There are standards in place for certifying lead-based paint professionals to ensure the work is done safely, reliably, and effectively.  Contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) for a list of contacts in your area.