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Every year, manufacturers recall products containing lead that children use. Exposure to lead can cause serious and permanent damage to young children. Here’s what every parent should know about lead exposure and children.

What Is Lead Poisoning?

Exposure to lead causes lead poisoning. Any amount of lead exposure is harmful, especially in young children. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), no level of lead exposure doesn’t result in harmful health effects.

Where is lead found?

Lead is a toxic metal found in the Earth’s crust. WHO reports that its use in mining, manufacturing, smelting, and recycling has caused environmental contamination and public health issues. A wide range of products around the world use lead, including:

• Ammunition.
• Ceramic glazes.
• Jewelry.
• Lead-acid batteries for motor vehicles.
• Pigments and paints.
• Solder.
• Some traditional cosmetics, such as kohl or sindoor.
• Some traditional medicines, including azarcon, greta, and pay-loo-ah.
• Stained glass.
• Toys.

Lead is invisible to the naked eye, whether in soil, air, water, or consumer products.

Recent recalls of children’s products

Manufacturers make some children’s products that contain lead. Recent recalls include:

• Clothing.
• Desks.
• Jewelry.
• Stainless steel bottles and sippy cups.
• Toys.

How Does Lead Poisoning Effect Children?

Lead poisoning can affect a child’s brain, liver, kidneys, and bones. When exposed to lead, their body stores it in their teeth and bones, where it can build up over time.

High levels of lead exposure can cause seizures, comas, and even death. Exposure to low lead levels causes no obvious lead poisoning symptoms but can seriously impact a child’s health.

Though exposure to lead is harmful at any age, it’s especially harmful to young children. Lead poisoning in kids can cause long-term, permanent, or irreversible damage, including:

• Anemia.
• Damage to the brain and nervous system.
• Damage to the kidneys.
• Delayed or slowed growth and development.
• High blood pressure.
• Hearing and speech problems.
• Learning and behavior problems, including difficulty paying attention, antisocial behavior, and lower performance in school.
• Lower IQ.

Lead exposure is also particularly harmful to women of childbearing age or who are pregnant. During pregnancy, your bones release lead into your bloodstream, exposing the fetus to lead.

How Do Children Get Lead Poisoning?

Though the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalls products it finds that contain lead, there are other ways your child can get lead poisoning. Many children encounter lead in their environment, including at home.

In 1978, the federal government banned the use of lead-based paint. Homes built before then may contain lead paint on the walls, woodwork, or cabinetry. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, construction on 66% of the homes in Pennsylvania took place before 1978.

In 1986, the federal government banned the use of lead in pipes and solder in public water lines. The Pennsylvania DOH reports that construction on 75% of the homes in Pennsylvania took place before 1986.

Overall, 16.5% of the United States’ housing stock has a potential elevated lead risk due to its age, according to America’s Health Rankings (AHR). AHR ranks each state’s potential lead exposure risk. Nearly 28% of Pennsylvania’s housing stock has an elevated lead risk.

Concern over lead pipes in cities and school districts has recently raised alarm among parents. Some schools have turned off their water fountains because older lead pipes need replacing. The federal government doesn’t require schools and child care centers to test for lead in drinking water.

Inhaling or breathing in lead

Children can breathe in lead particles from dust and debris. This can happen when someone strips, sands, or scrapes products containing lead, such as lead paint. Children can also get lead exposure from flakes and chips in surfaces with lead paint.

Ingesting or swallowing lead

Children may swallow lead from:

• Drinking water delivered through lead pipes, faucets, plumbing fixtures, or pipes joined with lead solder.
• Food that has come into contact with lead-glazed or lead-soldered containers.
• Hand to mouth from touching products containing lead.
• Swallowing or breathing in lead-contaminated soil while playing outside. Contaminated soil can also get tracked inside on shoes or clothes.

How Do You Prevent Lead Poisoning?

The good news is lead exposure and poisoning are preventable. To prevent lead exposure in children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following:

• Apply a sealant to antique or vintage finished or painted items or surfaces to prevent lead dust and debris release.
• Avoid traditional cosmetics, including kohl and sindoor.
• Avoid traditional medicines, including azarcon, greta, and pay-loo-ah.

• Check the CPSC recalls website to see recalled toys or other items. Don’t let children play with or use these items.
• Don’t let children play with antique or vintage toys made before 1978.
• Don’t use antique dishware or utensils for food.
• Don’t use lead crystal to store food or beverages.
• Don’t sand or dry-scrape lead-containing items and surfaces.
• Shower and change clothes before leaving work if you interact with leads.
• Wash your hands after working with or touching antique or vintage items.
• Wash your hands after playing outside.

How Do I Test and Detect Lead Poisoning?

Most children with lead in their blood have no symptoms, according to the CDC. If you suspect your child has lead poisoning, talk to their pediatrician or doctor. They can check for lead exposure through a blood test that measures lead in your blood.

Some states require lead testing before students can enroll in school, but not all. Pennsylvania, where UPMC is primarily located, requires lead testing before students can enroll.

How Do I Create a Safe, Lead-Free Environment?

Educating the public about the origins and dangers of lead exposure can help people take proactive measures to protect themselves and their families.

Legislation and regulatory enforcement play crucial roles in reducing lead exposure risks. Governments must actively enforce regulations that limit lead use in consumer products and industrial activities.

Manufacturers and regulatory bodies must also work together to guarantee product safety, particularly those designed for children. They must execute prompt recalls when they identify risks.

Creating a safe, lead-free environment for our children is everyone’s job — parents, educators, manufacturers, and government officials alike. Safeguarding the next generation’s well-being from lead’s harmful effects will take a collective effort.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on January 13, 2025, and was last reviewed on December 18, 2025.