All About Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that can harm children and adults, even at low levels of exposure. Understanding where lead comes from, how exposure occurs and how to prevent it can help protect your family.

New York State requires children to receive a blood lead test at age 1 and again at age 2. Young children are especially vulnerable because their brains and bodies are still developing, they absorb lead more easily and they frequently place their hands or other objects in their mouths. Early testing can identify exposure and allow steps to be taken to prevent further harm.

The information below explains common sources of lead, how exposure occurs, ways to prevent lead poisoning and what happens when a child has an elevated blood lead level.

Primary Sources of Lead

Paint Chips and Dust

Millions of homes still contain surfaces covered with old lead-based paint. As the paint chips or deteriorates, it can create lead-contaminated dust. Exposure to lead dust from deteriorating paint is a common cause of lead poisoning in the United States.

Soil

Soil can become contaminated when lead-based paint flakes from the outside of a building and mixes with the soil. Lead formerly emitted by vehicles using leaded gasoline also contributed to soil contamination. Lead can remain in contaminated soil for many years.

Drinking Water

Older plumbing materials and water service lines may contain lead that can enter drinking water. Testing is the only way to determine whether lead is present.

How Lead Exposure Occurs

Lead exposure can occur when a person swallows or breathes in lead or lead-contaminated dust.

Lead Exposure in Adults

Adult exposure frequently occurs in workplaces involving construction, demolition, welding, manufacturing or other activities where lead may be present. Lead exposure in adults may contribute to:

  • High blood pressure and other cardiovascular effects
  • Nervous system problems, including tremors
  • Reduced kidney function
  • Reproductive harm
  • Harm to a developing baby during pregnancy

Lead Exposure in Children

Children, especially those younger than 6, are more vulnerable to lead exposure because their brains and bodies are developing rapidly. Young children are also more likely to place their hands, toys and other objects in their mouths.

Lead exposure can affect a child’s development and cause damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth, learning and behavior problems, lower IQ and difficulty paying attention. Some effects may be permanent. At very high levels, lead poisoning can be life-threatening for children and adults.

Key Resource

Preventing Lead Exposure

  1. Test your home for lead.

    • If you live in a home built before 1978, consider having it inspected by a certified lead inspector. GO Health also has certified staff who can provide assistance.
    • If you live in an apartment, contact your landlord to ask whether a lead inspection has been completed or whether any lead hazards are known to exist in the rental unit.

  2. Keep children away from lead hazards.

    • Regularly clean children’s hands, toys and household surfaces. Floors, windowsills, doorways, furniture and other horizontal surfaces can collect lead-contaminated dust.
    • Review the Lead Cleaning Guide (PDF)(PDF, 91KB).
    • Block children’s access to windows, stairwells and other areas with chipping or peeling paint.
    • Remember that lead can come from sources other than paint. Some candy, toys, glazed pottery, cosmetics, spices and folk medicines made in other countries may contain lead.
    • Monitor product recalls published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

  3. Renovate safely.

    • Home repairs such as sanding or scraping paint can create hazardous lead dust.
    • Keep children and pregnant people away from the work area.
    • Make sure you and any contractors working in the home are trained in lead-safe work practices.
    • Contact GO Health for additional information.

Key Resources

What Happens When a Child Has an Elevated Blood Lead Level?

New York State Public Health Law defines an elevated blood lead level as 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or higher. The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments provide follow-up services for children who meet this threshold.

GO Health nursing and Environmental Health staff will contact the child’s parent or guardian to arrange a home visit. During the visit, staff will:

  • Check the home for visible lead hazards that may need immediate attention
  • Ask questions about other possible sources of lead exposure
  • Briefly assess the child’s developmental milestones
  • Schedule a full lead inspection and risk assessment

The inspection and risk assessment will be used to prepare a report identifying lead hazards in the home.

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