The danger of lead poisoning

According to the EPA, lead poisoning, once a major environmental health hazard, has declined greatly since the 1970s and continues to decrease. However, nearly 500,000 children under age 5 in the U.S. have elevated levels of lead in their blood, according to the Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention (ACCLPP). 

ACCLPP states that children with the highest risk of having elevated blood lead levels live in metropolitan areas and in housing built before 1978. Additional risk factors include being from low-income families and being of African-American or Hispanic origin.

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

In early 2005, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission started a new policy for lead in children’s metal jewelry. Some children who swallowed or sucked on jewelry with lead had high blood lead levels. Since 2004, the Commission has recalled over 150 million pieces of toy jewelry. This jewelry was sold in vending machines and other outlets.

Who is at risk for lead poisoning?

These people are most at risk for lead poisoning:

• Children between ages 1 and 3

• Children in low-income families

• African Americans

• Mexican Americans

• People living in large metropolitan areas

• People living in older housing built before 1978

• People working in places that have lead exposure, such as lead smelters, lead refineries and lead mines, battery manufacturers, and rubber-product manufacturers

• People drinking water that comes through lead pipes

• People using plates, cups, pitchers, or plates made with a lead-based glaze

What are the symptoms of lead poisoning? 

The symptoms of lead poisoning are related to how much lead is in the body and how quickly it builds up. Symptoms often happen slowly, over weeks or longer. People with mild lead poisoning often have no symptoms. If not found early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can have:

• Damage to the brain and nervous system

• Behavior and learning problems

• Slowed growth

• Hearing problems

• Headaches

• Anemia

• Seizures

• Trouble learning

• Aggressive behavior

• Low intelligence

• Long-lasting belly pain

In adults, lead poisoning may cause:

• Trouble during pregnancy

• Reproductive problems in both men and women

• High blood pressure

• Digestive disorders

• Memory and concentration problems

• Headaches

• Personality changes

• Nerve damage

• Metallic taste in the mouth

• Muscle weakness and joint pain

In both children and adults, high levels of lead may also cause seizures, coma, and death. The symptoms of lead poisoning may look like other health conditions or problems. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is lead poisoning diagnosed? 

A simple blood test can show high levels of lead in the body. This blood test should be done on children under age 2, people living in an older home, children and adults with symptoms of lead poisoning, and people who are exposed to lead at work.

In the U.S., it is advised that pregnant women with risk factors for lead poisoning have a blood lead level (BLL) screening. The baby’s BLL should also be tested after birth. BLLs of both the mother and baby should be put into the health records. The records should include any treatments used and suggested follow-up care.