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Reasons for Persistent High Lead Levels

Lead exposure is more prevalent than many people realize. Despite efforts to minimize lead levels through lead-free paint, toys and water systems, some may find it difficult to lower high lead numbers for themselves and their children. Being familiar with some of the less obvious reasons for elevated lead levels may help to finally bring them down.

  1. Common Lead Sources

    • Paint is the best known source of lead exposure. Although lead-based paint has not been legal for home use since 1978, many older homes still contain it. Chips and dust from such paint contribute to high lead levels, especially in children.

      Soil can easily absorb lead from exterior paint, gas fumes and toys. Before allowing children to play in soil or eating anything grown in it, check it for lead.

      Plumbing pipes may contain lead. It is advisable to run the water for 15 to 30 seconds before using it.

    Occupational Dust

    • A lead-free home may be tainted by outside sources. If someone who works around lead -- whether in paint, plumbing materials, costume jewelry or soil -- enters the home with his clothes and shoes on, he can track the toxins wherever they go. The best prevention is to remove all lead-exposed clothing before entering the house.

    Artificial Turf

    • Many playing fields are blanketed with green artificial turf. New turf is relatively harmless in regard to lead exposure. However, turf that has aged due to time, wear and weather contains broken-down fibers that can release lead dust into the air. This dust is then inhaled by athletes and fans, and contributes to heightened lead levels in their blood.

    Folk Medicine

    • Most alternative medicines are not examined by the FDA, so consumers must do research and use extra caution when purchasing them. Remedies known to contain lead include Greta, Azarcon, Gahasard and Ba-baw-san. Thoroughly investigate all ingredients for any herbal remedies purchased, and look into the reputation of the company to determine product manufacture and packaging quality.

    Lead Crystal and Pottery

    • It is possible for lead crystal containers to leach lead into foods and liquids.

      Lead crystal and lead-glazed pottery can leach lead into foods and liquids stored in them. It is ideal to use these items only as decoration, and never store to consumable items in them for more than a few minutes.

    Mexican Candy

    • Candies imported from Mexico have been found to contain lead due to various ingredients as well as processing and packaging. The lead contamination is not visible or detectable through taste, but can easily cause illness in children.

    Skipping Breaskfast

    • Perhaps the least obvious contributor to high lead levels is poor nutrition. As published in March 2011 in BioMed Central's open-access journal "Environmental Health," a study carried out by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) found that children who did not eat breakfast were more likely to have high blood levels than those who did. It is known that skipping meals can encourage lead absorption in adult bodies; missing an important meal like breakfast understandably puts a child at higher risk.

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