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1. What is lead poisoning?

Lead poisoning is the accumulation of lead in the body. Lead usually enters the body in the form of lead dust that is breathed in or by eating something that has been contaminated with lead. Children under 6 years old absorb lead more easily and are more easily harmed by lead.

Lead poisoning can happen slowly over time as lead builds up in the body or can happen suddenly if someone is exposed to a lot of lead at once. Most children who have lead poisoning do not look or act sick. The only way to know if someone has lead poisoning is by getting a blood lead test.

There is no known "safe" level of lead to have in the body. Any measurable amount of lead in the body may have negative health effects and can cause lifelong learning and behavior problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently uses a reference level of 5 micrograms per deciliter (5 mcg/dL) or higher to identify children who have an elevated blood lead level.

Lead poisoning can be treated but most of the damage caused by lead poisoning is permanent. The good news is that lead poisoning is preventable.

2. What are common sources of lead poisoning?

Common sources of lead poisoning include:

• Lead-based paint on older homes, buildings, furniture, and fixtures built before 1978
• Home Remedies also known as Traditional/Folk/Ayurvedic Medicine, candy and spices have been found to contain lead. Some examples include:
  • Surma
  • Kohl
  • Alkohl
  • Azarcon
  • Greta
  • Ghasard
  • Kandu
  • Lozeena
  • Pay-loo-ah
  • Sindoor
  • Daw-Tway
• Handmade or imported pottery and tableware with leaded paint or glaze. Terra cotta pots, highly decorative, imported low cost dishware, and antique tableware have been found to contain lead
• Take-home exposure. Some jobs such as auto repair, construction, metal work, soldering, battery manufacturing, or working at a shooting range may expose people to lead that they bring home on their clothes, shoes, equipment, or car. Soil contaminated from when leaded gasoline was used and from factory pollution, especially in areas that are near busy roadways, freeways, or factories
• Spices, such as chili, tamarind, and turmeric have been found to contain lead
• Imported candy or food, especially candies containing chili and/or tamarind as well as chapulines (toasted grasshoppers). Lead can be in the candy, spices, wrapper, or container
• Imported food in cans that are sealed with lead solder. Food cans with lead solder often have wide seams
• Metal jewelry and accessories. Lead has been found in inexpensive children's jewelry sold in vending machines as well as costume jewelry designed for adults

3. How do I protect my family from lead poisoning?

Lead poisoning is completely preventable. The key is to prevent lead exposure before your family is poisoned. The following are ways to protect your children from lead poisoning:

• Wash children's hands and toys frequently
• Dust - Mop and wipe floors, windowsills and window frames weekly with warm water and a general all-purpose cleaner
• Soil - Do not allow children to play in outdoor areas near a busy street, highway, factory or auto shop. Cover soil around your house with grass, plants, rocks or pavement. Click on one of the following links for more information about lead in paint, dust and soil
  • Protect Your Child From Lead in Dirt (PDF)
  • Proteja a su Hijo del Plomo en la Tierra (PDF)
• Toys - Use toys that can be easily washed. Avoid using baby bottles with decals
• Candy - Avoid giving children imported candies made with tamarind or chili powder
• Pottery - Do not use handmade or imported pottery and highly decorated dishes for cooking and storing food unless you are certain they are lead free. Cast iron and stainless steel pots are safe to use. Special swabs to test for lead can be purchased at some hardware stores. Look at this brochure for information about lead in traditional imported pottery
  • Lead in Traditional Ceramic Dishware (PDF)
  • El Plomo en las Vajillas de Barro (PDF)
• Home remedies - Only give children doctor-approved medicines
  • Lead in Folk Remedies (PDF)
  • El Plomo en Remedios Tradicionales (PDF)
• Nutrition - Give children a healthy diet with foods rich in iron, calcium and vitamin C. A healthy diet helps prevent lead absorption into the body. Click on one of the following links for more information about preventing lead poisoning in your child through nutrition
  • Well Fed = Less Lead (PDF)
  • Comiendo Saludable = Menos Plomo (PDF)
• Don't take Lead Home with you! If you work with lead, wash your hands and change your clothes before coming into contact with your loved ones. Click on one of the following links for more information
  • Don't Take Lead Home From Your Job (PDF)
  • No lleve el plomo a su casa (PDF)

4. Where can I find home remodeling information?

Older homes and buildings built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Disturbing lead-based paint during remodeling and repainting can create dangerous lead dust. Visit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website for more information on renovating or painting your home.

5. Where do I learn more about lead-safe work practices?

• Call the National Lead Hotline at 800-424-5323 (800-424-LEAD) and request "How to" guidelines on working safely with lead-based paint.
• Get a list of the Department of Health Services Certified Lead Professionals who are trained to do lead-safe work in your home by visiting the State of California's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch website or by calling 800-597-5323 (800-597-LEAD).
• For information or questions on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Renovation Repair and Paint (RRP) Rule visit the EPA Region 9 website.

6. What products have been recalled for lead?

Please visit the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission Recall List to view lead-related and other product recalls.

7. What role does nutrition play in preventing lead poisoning?

Feed children a healthy diet with foods rich in calcium, iron, and vitamin C (see the following list for examples). These nutrients help prevent lead from being absorbed by the body and can also help remove lead from the body:

• Calcium Sources:
  • Milk
  • Cheese and Yogurt
  • Leafy greens
  • Broccoli
  • Eggs
  • Dried beans
• Iron Sources:
  • Iron-fortified cereals
  • Leafy greens
  • Broccoli
  • Lean red meats
  • Corn tortillas
  • Raisins
• Vitamin C Sources:
  • Orange juice
  • Bell peppers
  • Broccoli
  • Kiwi
  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes

For more information about preventing lead poisoning in your child through nutrition, take a look at these handouts:

• Well Fed = Less Lead (PDF)
• Comiendo Saludable = Menos Plomo (PDF)