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• Children and Lead Poisoning

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• Remodeling and Painting

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• Lead Data and Reports

• Laboratory Information

• Lead Publications

• Lead Resources

 

 

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Common Sources of Lead


Many things around the home can contain lead and may cause a hazard for children.  This section lists potential lead sources and how to protect your children.

Lead-Based Paint

Lead-based paint is the most common source of lead poisoning.  Paint containing lead was not banned in the U.S. until 1978.  Homes built before 1960 may contain layers of lead-based paint, which can chip, peel or flake. Most children who are exposed to lead get it from household dust that contains lead particles released from old paint. Children also may eat lead-based paint chips, which sometimes taste sweet.

A main source of lead dust in houses is produced during the improper renovation of homes with lead-based paint.  The old paint layer is disturbed during remodeling by sanding, scraping or tearing into the painted surface and lead can be released.  Painted surfaces subject to repeated impact and wear, such as floors, window frames and doors, can also produce lead dust over time. Children can get poisoned when they ingest lead dust or chips from worn or damaged layers of lead-based paint.

You can get your home checked for lead hazards by having a lead-based paint risk assessment done.  The assessor will measure the lead content of each painted surface in your home and take dust and soil samples to be tested for lead content.

It is very important for people to use extreme caution before making any attempt to repaint and remodel old painted surfaces in homes with lead-based paint.  Always hire a person with special training for correcting lead problems—someone who knows how to do this work safely and has the proper equipment to clean up thoroughly.  Certified contractors employ qualified workers and follow strict safety rules set by the state or the federal government.  There are standards in place for certifying lead-based paint professionals to ensure the work is done safely, reliably, and effectively.  The Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development’s (CTED) Lead-Based Paint Program  trains and certifies these professionals.

 


Protecting your children from lead-based paint:

  • Wash children’s hands often, especially before they eat and before nap time and bed time.

  • Keep children away from peeling or chipping paint and chewable surfaces with lead-based paint, especially windows.

  • Clean up loose paint chips immediately. Put them in a plastic bag, seal, and place in garbage.

  • Use a damp cloth to wipe down surfaces to remove dust.

  • Place a blanket or rug on the floor where children play.

  • Permanently remove lead hazards by hiring a certified lead abatement contractor.

  

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Contaminated Soil

Children may be exposed to lead through contaminated soil when they play outside. Lead in dirt clings to fingers, toys and other objects that children normally put in their mouths. Deteriorating lead-based paint can contaminate soil around buildings and old playground equipment. Leaded gasoline may have contaminated soil near busy roads and through leaks from underground storage tanks. Smoke and dust from industries, such as lead ore mining and milling, smelting, municipal solid waste incinerators, and lead-acid battery recycling facilities can also contaminate soil.

 


Protecting your children from lead in soil:

  • Wash children’s hands often, especially before they eat and before nap time and bed time.

  • Use a doormat and wipe or remove shoes before entering your house.

  • Limit soil exposure.

  • Cover bare soil with grass, plants, gravel, or wood chips.

  • Do not let children play near the walls of the house or garage or on bare soil.

  • Have children play in grassy areas or a sandbox that can be covered.

 

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Children’s Toys and Jewelry

Some toys and toy jewelry have been found to contain levels of lead that can pose a serious health risk to children.  Parents should check with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to see if any of their child’s toys and jewelry have been recalled.  Though they may not appear on a recall list, antique or salvaged items may contain lead, especially items that are painted or metal.

Toys and jewelry that contain lead are a health hazard and children should not be handling them.  Since jewelry may be small, children may put them in their mouth, suck or chew on them, and sometimes even swallow them.  Handling lead-containing objects and then putting their hands in their mouths can also expose children to lead.

 


Protecting your children from lead in toys and jewelry:

  • Check product recalls and safety news from CPSC.

  • Stop using recalled product immediately. Follow instruction on CPSC web site on who to contact for refund or replacement.

  • It is important to choose the right toy for the right age child. Toys that are meant for older children can be dangerous for younger children.

  • Wash children's toys often.

  

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Drinking Water

Lead in drinking water is not a common source of lead poisoning.  Most well or city water does not naturally contain lead.  Lead may get into drinking water from household plumbing from lead solder that connects the pipes or brass faucets.  Lead from solder is most commonly found in homes built between 1970 and 1985.  Lead may get into the water when water sits in pipes.  If this happens, the water you use for drinking, cooking, or mixing baby formula can cause lead poisoning.  Boiling the water will not remove the lead.  For more information go to the Department of Health, Division of Drinking Water, Lead in Drinking Water Web site.

 


Protecting your children from lead in drinking water:

If lead in plumbing is suspected:

  • Have your water tested. 

  • Water from a hot water tap should not be used for drinking or food preparation.

  • The cold-water tap should be flushed for several minutes each morning or after sitting.

  • Run tap water for 15–30 seconds until it feels noticeably colder.

 

  

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Workplace and Hobby Hazards

Parents may unknowingly bring lead home on their hands, clothing, and shoes.  Jobs that expose people to lead include painting, construction or home remodeling, radiator repair, battery or scrap metal recycling, pottery manufacturing, working with guns and ammunition, industries using lead solder, roadwork, and shipbuilding.  Good hygiene needs to be observed to avoid bringing lead dust into the home from the work place.

Dust and fumes from hobbies can also be a source lead.  These hobbies include stained glass windows with lead solder, glazing and firing ceramics, making and handling ammunition and fishing weights, target practice (indoor and outdoor firing ranges), refinishing furniture, remolding old homes and jewelry making.

 


Protecting your children from lead in the workplace and hobby hazards:

  • If you have a hobby that includes working with lead, keep children and pregnant women out of the work area.

If you have a job that exposes you to lead:

  • Use separate work clothes and shoes/boots while at work.

  • Shower and take off your work clothes and shoes before going home or getting into your vehicle.  If you can’t shower at work, take a shower and wash your hair as soon as you get home.

  • Put dirty work clothes in a plastic bag. If you wash your own work clothes, wash them separately from those of other family members.  Run the empty washing machine again to rinse out the lead.

 

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Traditional Home Remedies and Cosmetics

Some families may use home remedies to treat illnesses.  Many home remedies may contain up to 100 percent lead and are very dangerous to children.  Azarcon, a bright orange powder, and Greta, a yellow powder, may be used in the Hispanic community for indigestion or upset stomach. Similar remedies are known as Liga, Alarcon, Rueda, Maria Luisa, Coral, and Albayalde. Paylooah, a red or orange powder, may be given to children in the Vietnamese and Hmong community as a cure for rash or fever.  Ghasard, Bali Goli, and Kandu may be given as a stomachache remedies in some Asian Indian communities. Certain cosmetics, especially those from the Middle East, India, and Asia, may also contain high levels of lead.  Cosmetics known to contain lead are Kohl, Suma, and Cerise.

 


Protecting your children from lead in home remedies and cosmetics:

  • Immediately stop using any of the home remedies or cosmetics mentioned above that contain lead.

  • Thoroughly wash hands and any other body parts that may have come in contact with the powders or cosmetics. Wash affected household surfaces with soap and hot water.

  • Ask a health care provider to test children or pregnant/nursing women for lead poisoning if they have used any of the remedies or cosmetics noted above.
     

  

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Lead Glazed Ceramic Ware, Pottery and Leaded Crystal

Lead can be used to make ceramic glazes with deep and brilliant color.  Imported, old, handmade, or poorly glazed ceramic dishes and pottery are especially at risk for having lead in the glaze.  Lead may also be found in leaded crystal, pewter and brass dishware.  Acidic foods stored in improperly glazed containers are the most dangerous. Acidic foods or drinks (such as orange, tomato and other fruit juices, tomato sauces, wines, and vinegar) may cause the lead to be drawn out of the glaze and contaminate the food or drink with lead.  You cannot always tell by looking at a dish whether it contains lead.

 


Protecting your children from lead-glazed ceramic ware, pottery and leaded crystal:

  • If it is not known whether or not a particular tableware item contains lead, the item should not be used to store, cook or serve food or beverages.

  • If any tableware starts to show a dusty or chalky gray residue after washing, discontinue using the item.

  • Purchase dishes with labels that state the item is lead-free or suitable for food use.

  

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Imported Candy

Lead has been found in certain candies imported from Mexico, especially those containing tamarind or chili flavoring.  Lead sometimes gets into candy when processes such as drying, storing, and grinding the ingredients are done improperly.  Also, lead has been found in the wrappers of some imported candies.  The ink of these plastic or paper wrappers may contain lead that leaches into the candy.  People selling these candies may not know whether the candy contains lead.  You cannot tell by looking at or tasting a candy whether it contains lead.

 

 


Protecting your children from lead in imported candy:

  • Avoid eating imported candies containing chili powder and tamarind.  Examples of chili containing products include lollipops coated with chili and powdery mixtures of salt, lemon flavor, and chili seasoning sold as a snack item.

  

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Mini-Blinds

Mini-blinds that are old or imported may contain lead. Sunlight and heat can cause the vinyl surface to break down and to release lead dust. This lead dust can get into the air and collect near or below the blinds.

 


Protecting your children from in mini blinds:

  • Don’t use imported vinyl mini blinds in a home with young children. New mini blinds that are made in the United States do not contain lead.

  • Fabric curtains or shades are a safe alternative to mini blinds.  Remember to protect children from curtain cords, which can choke or suffocate them.
     

  

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Lead Resources: Common Sources

Web Sites

Consumer Product Safety Commission

http://www.cpsc.gov/

 

Lead Hazard Control Grants  

http://www.cted.wa.gov/site/1030/default.aspx

 

Publications

Environmental Protection Agency fact sheet for parents:

http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/chancefactsheet.pdf (English)

http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/chancefactsheet_span.pdf (Spanish)


Environmental Protection Agency fact sheet for Head Start staff 

http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/chanceadvisory.pdf

 

For a full list of Lead Resources and Publications visit our:

Links to external resources are provided as a public service and do not imply endorsement by the Washington State Department of Health.

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