Most of us are probably familiar with lead at some level. It's a highly useful metallic element that is still in a lot of consumer products today, such as ammunition and batteries. But even though it is a plentiful and very useful element, it has some serious downsides and risks that are so severe that they have resulted in lead being banned in many consumer products. 

 

What are the Health Effects of Lead? 

• Lead causes problems in the body because it is absorbed by many bodily systems (such as bones, where it is absorbed instead of calcium if it's present). 

• Lead does not stay in the body permanently, but getting lead out of the body is a long-term process. 

• Lead that builds up in areas such as bones is released slowly over time, continually exposing the body while the bones demineralize. 

• Children and pregnant women are most vulnerable to the health effects of lead. 

• Children can suffer from behavior/learning problems, lower IQ, hyperactivity, slowed growth, hearing problems, and anemia if exposed to lead.

• Lead can pass from mother to fetus during development. This can result in low birth weight, premature birth, harm to the baby’s brain or nervous system, potential behavioral problems, and miscarriage.

• Even healthy adults are vulnerable to lead, and can suffer from:

• Cardiovascular effects

• Hypertension

• Decreased kidney function

• Reproductive problems (both men and women)

• Lead can cause severe and irreversible damage. The best way to avoid these outcomes is to avoid exposure to lead as much as possible. 

 

How are People Exposed to Lead?

One of the difficulties in addressing lead exposure is the fact that lead can be present practically anywhere in the environment. 

• Lead is a naturally occurring element, and can be present in soil. 
• Soil can also become contaminated by other means. For example, scrapyards and firing ranges provide opportunities for lead to enter soil. 
• Water can become contaminated with lead. 
• Old plumbing that is corroding can result in lead from areas like pipes or soldering entering the drinking water. 
• Homes built before 1986 are especially at risk. 
• Natural sources of water are susceptible to lead contamination as well. 
• Fishing areas become contaminated with lead as a result of the use of lead sinkers. 
• Consumer products/hobbies
• In the past, lead was a common additive to paints. In the United States, the use of lead as a paint additive was outlawed in 1978. 
• Many homes still standing today were built before 1978, and this lead-based paint may still be present in these homes. 
• If you own or live in an older home, there are options for testing for lead-based paint you may want to consider, and remediation options from qualified professionals are also available. 
• As mentioned previously, sinkers used for fishing are typically made of lead. 
• Ammunition handling is a common exposure pathway for lead. 
• Those who hand-load or reload ammunition are at even greater risk. 
• Industry
• Lead is extremely common in industry, and many industrial sites have an increased chance of exposing people or the environment to lead.

 

If You Suspect Harmful Levels of Lead Exposure:

• Free blood lead testing is available to children involved in the WIC program

• Talk to a health care professional about your concerns to assess whether lead exposure is a possibility. 

• Blood lead levels can be tested with a simple procedure. 

• If you know you have lead-based paint in your home, you can reference the EPA's page on home lead remediation to learn more about your options for safely eliminating or reducing the risk of lead exposure. 

• For Wisconsin-specific resources (such as how to find professionals to assess or address lead hazards) consult the Wisconsin Department of Health Services' informational page on lead in Wisconsin.