Lead
Definition
Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal that can be toxic to health. There is no safe level of lead exposure. However, lead can still be found in many places in and around our homes. ²
Sources of Household Lead
Lead can be found in paint, dust, soil and water in and around the home. Houses built before 1978 are especially likely to have lead-based paint, as this was prior to the federal ban instituted to reduce consumer exposure. Lead-based paint is especially dangerous if the paint is peeling or chipping and entering the air through dust particles. This is common during home renovations on pre-1978 homes. Other indoor air lead exposures include contaminated soil and dust brought in from outside, especially near sites such as heavily trafficked roads, old industrial facilities, fields and mines. Lead can also be found in some ceramic glazes and agricultural fertilizers.¹ ²
Health Impacts
Lead exposure can impact nearly every body system. The acute effects of lead toxicity include seizures, paralysis, vomiting, anemia and even death. ²
The nervous system is the most prominently affected by lead exposures where irreversible damage can take place. Children are especially vulnerable to the health effects of lead because any level of lead exposure can permanently damage their developing nervous systems. Chronic exposure to lead can cause cognitive and behavioral difficulties such as memory and concentration complications; reproductive complications; high blood pressure; and damage to the brain, kidneys and liver. ²
Steps for Prevention and Remediation ¹ ² ³
- If your home was built before 1978, you can get your home checked for lead hazards by finding a certified lead inspector or risk assessor at: https://www.epa.gov/lead/forms/lead-hotline-national-lead-information-center
- If you are a renter and found that the paint contains lead and it is chipping or peeling, notify your landlord and do not try to fix it on your own. Either speak to your landlord about fixing those surfaces or consult a professional.
- Wash children’s hands, bottles, pacifiers, and toys frequently.
- Consider being a shoeless household, removing shoes at the entryway. Have a walk-off mat at all entrances to the home.
- If you are renovating, repairing, or painting a home built before 1978, hire only EPA- or state-approved Lead-Safe certified renovation firms. renovation-repair-and-painting-rrp-program-consumers
- If you have reason to believe that your child has been exposed to lead, consult your healthcare provider about testing your children for lead. Your pediatrician can check for lead with a simple blood test.
Additional Resources
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention:
https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/testing/index.html
Protect Your Family From Lead in the Home:
Renovation program:
https://www.epa.gov/lead/renovation-repair-and-painting-rrp-program-consumers
Reference List
1. US EPA. Protect your Family from Sources of Lead. Available at: https://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-sources-lead#sl-home. Accessed July 3, 2024.
2. American Lung Association. Lead. Available at: https://www.lung.org/clean-air/indoor-air/indoor-air-pollutants/lead. Accessed July 3, 2024.
3. US EPA. Protect your Family from Lead in Your Home. Available at : https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/documents/lead-in-your-home-portrait-color-2020-508.pdf Accessed July 3, 2024.