L E A D  —  FACTS  ABOUT  LEAD

FACT

Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born.

FACT

Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.

FACT

You can get lead in your body by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by eating soil or paint chips containing lead.

FACT

You have many options for reducing lead hazards. In most cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard.

FACT

Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger to your family.

In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint.

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 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 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.

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, your water will not get rid of lead.

If you think your plumbing might have lead in it:  Use only cold water for drinking and cooking.   Run water for 15 to 30 seconds before drinking it, especially if you have not used your water for a few hours.

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 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.