Health Effects of Lead

  People can get lead in their body if they:

• Put their hands or other objects covered with lead dust in their mouths. 
• Eat paint chips or soil that contains lead. 
• Breathe in lead dust (especially during renovations that disturb painted surfaces).
• Lead is even more dangerous to children than adults because: 
  • Babies and young children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths.  These objects can have lead dust on them. 
  • Children's growing bodies absorb more lead. 
  • Children's brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.
• If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from: 
  • Damage to the brain and nervous system 
  • Behavior and learning problems (such as hyperactivity) 
  • Slowed growth
  • Hearing problems
  • Headaches 
• Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults can suffer from: 
  • Difficulties during pregnancy
  • Other reproductive problems (in both men and women) 
  • High blood pressure
  • Digestive problems
  • Nerve disorders
  • Memory and concentration problems
  • Muscle and joint pain