Lead Poisoning

Summary

Lead is a metal that occurs naturally in the earth’s crust. Lead can be found in all parts of our environment. Much of it comes from human activities such as mining and manufacturing. Lead used to be in paint; older houses may still have lead paint. You could be exposed to lead by:

• Eating food or drinking water that contains lead. Water pipes in older homes may contain lead.
• Working in a job where lead is used
• Using lead in a hobby, such as making stained glass or lead-glazed pottery
• Using folk remedies such as herbs or foods that contain lead

Breathing air, drinking water, eating food, or swallowing or touching dirt that contains lead can cause many health problems. Lead can affect almost every organ and system in your body. In adults, lead can increase blood pressure and cause infertility, nerve disorders, and muscle and joint pain. It can also make you irritable and affect your ability to concentrate and remember.

Lead is especially dangerous for children. A child who swallows large amounts of lead may develop anemia, severe stomachache, muscle weakness, and brain damage. Even at low levels, lead can affect a child’s mental and physical growth.

Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Specifics

• Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water Environmental Protection Agency
• Kohl, Kajal, Al-Kahal, Surma, Tiro, Tozali or Kwalli: By Any Name, Beware of Lead Poisoning Food and Drug Administration
• Lead (Pb) Air Pollution Environmental Protection Agency

Diagnosis and Tests

• Blood Test: Lead (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
• Heavy Metal Blood Test National Library of Medicine

Related Issues

• Candy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Lead and Drinking Water from Private Wells Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Lead in Drinking Water Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Lead in Foods, Cosmetics, and Medicines Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Safety and Health Topics: Lead Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Find an Expert

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency
• National Center for Environmental Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Lead Poisoning National Institutes of Health

Encyclopedia

• Delta-ALA urine test Medical Encyclopedia

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Hidden Hazards: Clearing Out Toxins in the Home National Institutes of Health
• Lead Poisoning Prevention Tips Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Protect Your Family from Sources of Lead Environmental Protection Agency
• Risk Assessment Environmental Protection Agency

Start Here

• Lead Environmental Protection Agency
• Lead Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Learn about Lead Environmental Protection Agency

Patient Handouts

• Lead – nutritional considerations Medical Encyclopedia
• Lead levels – blood Medical Encyclopedia
• Lead poisoning Medical Encyclopedia
• Lead Toxicity Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Children

• Lead Poisoning National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Journal Articles

• Lead Poisoning