Unusual Sources of Household Lead Poisoning

If you were asked to come up with some examples of how lead might get into your home, you might think of the "lead in children's toys" cases that sometimes appear in the news. Further than that, you might be hard pressed to name many risks of lead exposure, but the truth is that there are numerous potential sources of lead poisoning and it's best to be aware of them for the sake of your own and your family's health.

Lead In Household Paint

The main example for most people is household paint. If your house was painted before the government ban in 1978, it probably contains lead, as do any toys and furniture from that time. Lead compounds will be more in evidence in earlier coats of paint, with newer layers containing less. The paint becomes dangerous when it chips or turns to dust, as can happen when redecorating or remodelling. The dust particles can be so small as to be invisible, and if lead is ingested the resultant 57 or more symptoms are often mistaken for other ailments by doctors.

Children At Risk From Lead Exposure

Children under the age of six are most at risk from lead poisoning because they indulge in lots of hand to mouth contact, their bodies are still developing rapidly, and they can absorb more lead than adults. Lead poisoning can lead to brain damage. If your house is one of the 57 million older properties in the country it might ease your concerns to test for lead. Home testing kits are available that are inexpensive, straightforward and accurate.

Lead in Soil

Despite lead being removed from gasoline, it still poses a risk to health. During all the previous years of use it found its way from the air into the soil next to highways where it often still lies. The wind can whip up dry soil and blow lead dust into yards and houses. If you live near to busy roads this might be another reason to test.

Lead in Ceramics

Lead is typically used in the process of glazing ceramics, but thanks to government regulations, it's used in such a way that toxic amounts cannot leak out into foods and liquids. US style safeguards do not always exist in other countries, so be wary of items from abroad and particularly of earthenware jugs and mugs. Many tourists return from Mexico with ceramics, some bought from unregulated street vendors, and there's no way of knowing if they are safe. Acid in food and drink (such as wine, vinegar and fruit juices) can react with inferior glazes and accelerate the process of lead release. Surprisingly, candy, candy wrappers and some foods from Mexico containing tamarind or chilli can also contain lead.

Lead Solder Contamination Risk

Although lead contamination of drinking water from the source is extremely rare, it can still occur, caused by the lead used in solder joints. These days there are strict limits on how much lead can be used in plumbing, but older houses may still contain original faucets and pipes with high lead content. Corrosion occurs over time and lead can leech into the water supply.

Lead has been found in inexpensive metal jewellery like bracelets, earrings and amulets, the sort that are on sale in discount stores and vending machines. Some of this jewellery is aimed at children.

Lead Exposure from Hobbies

Your hobbies could be worth looking at critically. Conventional ammunition contains lead. If you shoot regularly, particularly at an indoor range, or if you reload ammunition, you may be exposed to lead dust. If you make stained glass windows using lead solder, glaze and fire pottery and ceramics or make lead weights you could be at risk.
Herbal remedies from different cultures sometimes have very high lead content. Azarcon and Greta are used in the Hispanic community, often to treat children with intestinal illness. Pay-loo-ah is an orange powder used in the Hmong community for children with rash or fever. Ghasard, Bala Goli, and Kandu are all Asian Indian remedies used for stomach pains. Arab communities use Kohl or Surma as cosmetics and remedies. Since herbal and folk remedies do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration their use is not regulated, so tread carefully.

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