Lead Poisoning

Lead poisoning occurs when children or adults get lead into their body. Lead gets into the body by eating it or breathing. Even small amounts of lead can raise serious health problems. Children younger than 6 years old are more at risk. Lead poisoning can affect mental and physical development and can event be fatal at very high levels.

What causes lead poisoning?

Eating or breathing in dust from lead-based paint that is crumbling is the most common cause of lead poisoning in children. Other sources of lead poisoning include:

• Dust and soil tainted with lead from old paint
• Dust and soil tainted with lead from leaded gasoline
• Tap water in homes that have lead pipes
• Paint and dust chips from old toys, furniture, and pottery glazes