Lead Information

Who is at risk of lead exposure?

Children are particularly at risk of lead exposure because they are growing so rapidly and because they tend to put their hands or other objects, which may be contaminated with lead-contaminated dust or soil, into their mouths. Children living in or spending significant time in homes or buildings built before 1978 may be at higher risk of exposure. A pregnant woman's exposure to lead is of particular concern because it can result in exposure to her developing baby.

Adults may be exposed to lead by eating and drinking food or water containing lead or from dishes or glasses that contain lead. They may also breathe lead dust by spending time in areas where lead-based paint is deteriorating, and during renovation or repair work that disturbs painted surfaces in older homes and buildings. Painted surfaces on windows and other areas subject to frequent movement and wear are common sites where lead dust may accumulate.

Working in a job or engaging in hobbies where lead is used, such as making stained glass, can increase exposure, as can certain folk remedies containing lead. Military members should take extra precaution when working at firing ranges or in close proximity to sustained weapons fire.

Children and Lead Exposure

Protecting children from exposure to lead is important to lifelong good health. No safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently uses a blood lead reference value of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) to identify children with blood lead levels higher than most children's levels.

There is no cure for lead poisoning. The goal is to prevent lead exposure to children before they are harmed.

How are children exposed to lead?

Lead is invisible to the naked eye and has no smell. Children may be exposed to lead from sources such as paint, solder, and consumer products, and through pathways such as air, food, water, dust, and soil.

Lead-contaminated paint and lead-contaminated dust are the most hazardous sources of lead for U.S. children. Leaded paints were banned for use in housing in 1978. All houses built before 1978 are likely to contain some lead-contaminated paint. However, it is the deterioration of this paint that causes a problem.

The CDC lists other potential sources of lead, including:

Soil and Artificial Turf

The Army has identified a few playing fields with high lead levels and replaced the turf.

Food, Cosmetics, and Medicines

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) identifies lead hazards and issues recalls

Consumer Products

The U.S. Cconsumer Product and Safety Commission (CPSC) looks for lead content and issues recalls

Water

What are the Health Effects of Lead in Children?

Lead can affect almost every organ and system in the body. Even low levels of lead in the blood of children can result in:

Behavior and learning problems
Lower IQ and hyperactivity
Slowed growth and development
Hearing and speech problems
Anemia

What if you think your child has been in contact with lead?

If you think your child has been in contact with lead, contact your child's health care provider to determine whether blood lead testing should be done. A blood lead test is the only way to find out if your child has been exposed to lead. Most children exposed to lead have no immediate symptoms.

Your healthcare provider can help you determine if your child is at risk of exposure to lead. For children at high risk, a blood lead test can help determine the level of exposure. Your child's health care provider can recommend treatment if your child has been exposed to lead.

Adults and Lead Exposure

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

Cardiovascular effects, increased blood pressure and hypertension
Decreased kidney function
Reproductive problems in both men and women

What if you are pregnant or nursing?

Lead can accumulate in our bodies over time, where it is stored in bones along with calcium. If accumulated lead is present, it can be released from the mother's bones along with calcium and can pass from the mother to the developing fetus or the breastfeeding infant. This can result in serious effects, including:

Damage to the baby's brain, kidneys, and nervous system
Increased likelihood of learning or behavioral problems
Increased risk for miscarriage

If you are pregnant or nursing, talk to your healthcare provider about potential exposure to sources of lead. See the CDC's page on lead poisoning prevention for pregnant women External Link

Protect Your Family from Lead Exposures

Lead hazards in a child's environment must be identified and controlled or removed safely. There are several ways to make your home lead-safe and reduce your child's exposure to lead. It is important to determine the construction year of the house or the dwelling where you and your child spend a large amount of time (e.g., grandparents or daycare). In housing built before 1978, assume that the paint is lead-contaminated unless tests show otherwise.

Reduce Lead Exposure

Around the Home

Paint

Read the information on potential lead hazards that was given to you when you moved to your current residence.
Inspect and maintain all painted surfaces to prevent paint deterioration. Repair or report chipping, flaking, deteriorating paint immediately.
Address water damage quickly and completely.
Keep your home clean and dust-free. Clean around painted areas where friction can generate dust, such as doors, windows, and drawers. Wipe these areas with a wet sponge or rag to remove paint chips or dust.
Follow lead safe practices for renovation and home improvement projects.

Water

Flush faucets/water outlets by allowing cold water to run for 1-2 minutes before using for drinking or food preparation.
Clean debris out of outlet screens or faucet aerators on a regular basis.
Install an ANSI/NSF Standard 53 certified faucet-mounted filter on faucets used to prepare food and drinks. The NSF provides a certified product listing
Use only cold water to prepare food and drinks.

Other Sources

Find out if hobbies or jobs have potential lead hazards and keep children away from your work areas.
Create barriers between living/play areas and lead sources.
Shower and change clothes after finishing a task that involves working with lead-based products such as stained glass, making bullets, or using a firing range/firing a weapon. Wash these clothes separately from other laundry.

Consumer Products

Avoid using traditional folk medicine and cosmetics that may contain lead.
Use caution when eating foods from other countries from informal and unregulated sources.
Avoid using containers, cookware, or tableware that are not shown to be lead-free to serve, store, or cook foods or liquids. Some imported and antique ceramics and pottery may be glazed with lead.

Healthy Habits

Ensure that your family members eat well-balanced meals rich in iron, calcium, and Vitamin C. Children with healthy diets absorb less lead.
Wash children's hands and toys often. Hand washing is especially important before eating.
Remove all shoes before entering the house. Teach children to wipe and remove their shoes and wash hands after playing outdoors.

Information for Occupants of Army Family Housing

Lead-contaminated paint, including lead-based paint, that is not disturbed and remains intact is not a hazard. It is only when lead-contaminated paint deteriorates releasing chips and contaminating surface dust and soil that it becomes a significant hazard. The Army presumes that any paint in pre-1978 housing is lead-contaminated.

Installations must inform all new tenants of military family housing what is known about lead-based paint and lead hazards in their units. Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home External Link (EPA Pamphlet 747-K-12-001) must be provided as part of the information packet.

Installations and contractors must also provide information to the present tenants of housing units where renovations will disturb lead-based paint. Please see Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools External Link for more information.

For additional information on lead in housing, contact the local Housing Office.

If you have unresolved concerns about housing and related health issues please call the Housing Environment Health Response Registry at 1-800-984-8523 or DSN (312) 421-3700.