Lead Hazards and Lead Poisoning

Lead is a toxic metal that can cause serious and long-lasting health problems, especially for young children and people who are pregnant. There is no safe level of lead in the body.

Lead poisoning can be prevented. Learn where lead can be found, how you may be exposed, and what you can do to reduce exposure.

How are people exposed to lead?

Anyone can be exposed to lead by swallowing or breathing in lead dust or other materials that contain lead. Lead dust can get on hands, toys, floors and other surfaces. It can also be brought into the home on shoes, clothing, tools and equipment.

On this page: Lead-Based Paint in Older Homes Other Sources of Lead Lead-Safe Cleaning Get Your Child Tested for Lead Resources

Lead-Based Paint in Older Homes

Dust from lead-based paint is the major source of lead poisoning for children. Lead was commonly used in house paint until 1978.

If your home was built before 1978, assume it contains lead-based paint. When old paint chips, peels or is disturbed during repairs or renovations, it can create lead dust. Even if an older home has been repainted, the original lead paint may still be underneath and can create dust when it's disturbed or from opening or closing windows and doors.

How to reduce exposure:

Keep children away from chipping, peeling or disturbed paint.
Clean regularly using lead-safe cleaning practices.
Use lead-safe work practices when repairing or renovating an older home, or hire a licensed contractor.
If you rent, learn about your rights and your landlord's responsibilities for lead-safe repairs.

Other Sources of Lead

Lead can come from many sources besides paint.

Soil

Lead can be found in soil around older homes, near roads and driveways, and in areas affected by past industrial activity. Children can swallow contaminated soil or people can bring lead into the home on their hands and shoes.

How to reduce exposure:

Keep children away from bare soil where lead may be present
Wash children's hands after outdoor play and before eating.
Leave shoes at the door to help keep contaminated soil out of your home.
Cover bare soil with grass, mulch or another ground cover.

Learn about lead in soil and how to protect children

Drinking water

Lead can get into drinking water from pipes, plumbing and fixtures. You cannot see, smell or taste lead. Testing is the only way to know if lead is in your drinking water.

How to reduce exposure:

Have your drinking water tested for lead.
If lead is found, take steps to lower lead levels in your water.

Learn about lead in drinking water and how to test your water
Learn more about lead in school and childcare drinking water

Jobs and hobbies

Some jobs and hobbies can expose you to lead. Jobs may involve manufacturing, construction, automotive repair, mining, or indoor shooting ranges. Some hobbies, such as making stained glass, target shooting, casting bullets, making ceramics, furniture refinishing, or home renovations, can also expose you to lead.

Lead dust can come home on clothing, shoes, tools and equipment.

How to reduce exposure:

Follow safety requirements at work or when doing lead-related activities.
Wash your hands and face before eating or leaving work.
Change out of work clothes and shoes before going home when possible.
Keep work clothes, shoes, tools and equipment away from children and other household items.
Wash work clothes separately from other laundry when possible.

Learn more about lead exposure from jobs and hobbies
Tips on preventing take-home lead exposure
Learn about lead in the workplace

Consumer and imported products

Lead may be found in some consumer and imported products, including certain toys, jewelry, cosmetics (for example, Thanakha, Surma, Kajal and Kohl), traditional remedies (for example, Gaw Mo Dah), pottery and other products. Children and adults who recently came to the United States may have been exposed to lead through these products before their arrival.

How to reduce exposure:

Check product recalls and safety information.
Avoid products that may contain lead, especially products intended for children.
Do not let children put potentially lead-containing products in their mouths.
When possible, choose products labeled lead-free.

Learn about lead in consumer and imported products
Learn about lead in foods, cosmetics and medicines
Search for recalled products containing lead

Vintage, antique and salvaged items

Vintage, antique and salvaged items may contain lead. This can include old furniture, dishes, pottery, glassware, jewelry, toys, plumbing fixtures, painted or stained materials, and older maple sugaring equipment.

How to reduce exposure:

Keep items that may contain lead away from children.
Do not use vintage or antique dishes, pottery or glassware for food or drinks unless you know they are lead-free.
Avoid sanding, scraping or otherwise disturbing old paint or finishes.
Use caution when reusing or renovating salvaged building materials.
When possible, choose newer, lead-free alternatives for items used for food, cooking or children.

Learn about vintage, antique and salvaged items

Lead-Safe Cleaning

Lead dust can collect on floors, windowsills, baseboards and other surfaces. Children can swallow lead dust when they put their hands or objects in their mouths.

How to reduce exposure:

Wet-clean floors, windowsills, baseboards and other surfaces regularly.
Use a HEPA vacuum to remove lead dust from floors and carpets.
Do not sweep or use a regular household vacuum, which can spread lead dust.
Keep children and people who are pregnant out of the area while cleaning.
Wash your hands after cleaning.

Learn how to clean safely to reduce lead dust

Get Your Child Tested for Lead

There is no safe level of lead in the body. Children exposed to lead may not look or feel sick. A blood lead test is the only way to know if your child has been exposed to lead.

Talk with your child’s doctor about a blood lead test at ages 1 and 2.

Learn about lead testing for children