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What can cause high lead levels in toddlers

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Lead is a type of metal usually present in very small amounts in soil. High levels of lead exposure can be harmful. The risk of lead poisoning is highest for unborn babies, infants and children. You may be able to reduce your exposure by learning more about the potential sources of lead in your environment.

Lead can enter the human body mainly through breathing in or swallowing materials contaminated with lead.

Lead used to be added to paint and petrol. The use of lead in things such as toys, cosmetics, ceramics and water pipes is now restricted in Australia. However, lead is still used in lead-acid batteries and some ceramic glazes. Some imported toys, jewellery, cosmetics and complementary medicines have been reported to be contaminated with lead. It is also possible to be exposed to lead in the workplace, for example when working with batteries or using lead-based spray paint.

Drinking water may contain small amounts of lead due to the lead solder (metal bonds) or fittings in older pipes.

Who may be exposed to lead

The following situations can increase your risk of lead exposure:

working in or living near lead mines and lead processing works
restoring older homes, furniture, cars or boats that have been painted with lead-based paints
working with or recycling objects containing lead such as car batteries and radiators
glazing or firing pottery
eating animals hunted with lead bullets
materials used in construction of the roof, gutters, piping and tanks

Babies and young children are at a greater risk of lead exposure as they are more likely than adults to play on the ground or floor and put things in their mouths.

Pregnant women need to avoid lead exposure because the lead in their bodies can cross to their unborn babies through the placenta. The dangers of lead exposure are higher for babies and young children than for adults because their brains are still developing and growing rapidly.

Symptoms of lead exposure

Blood level levels of more than 10 micrograms per decilitre (10 μg/dL) can harm your organs.

However, symptoms of lead poisoning can be difficult to recognise. They may include:

Very high blood lead levels can cause encephalopathy (disturbance of the brain's functioning), leading to seizures, coma and even death.

Long-term exposure to lower levels of lead can cause:

learning difficulties
behavioural issues
reduced intelligence (IQ)
poor coordination
slower growth
anaemia
problems with the heart rate
fertility issues

Diagnosis and treatment of lead poisoning

Lead poisoning is usually diagnosed through a blood test. If the level of lead in the blood is greater than 5 μg/dL, the source of lead exposure needs to be investigated and reduced.

Reducing exposure to lead

Be aware of the areas of your home that may have been painted with lead-based paint. Your house or apartment was probably painted with lead-based paint if it was built before the 1970s. Use 'lead alert' practices if renovating or painting your home.

Try to avoid activities that can expose you to lead.

Where to go to for help

See your doctor if you have concerns that you or your family have been exposed to lead.

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Last reviewed: May 2020

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Exposure to lead can seriously harm a child’s health and cause well-documented adverse effects such as:

Damage to the brain and nervous system
Slowed growth and development
Learning and behavior problems
Hearing and speech problems

This can cause:

Lower IQ
Decreased ability to pay attention
Underperformance in school

There is also evidence that childhood exposure to lead can cause long-term harm.

Lead exposure in children is often difficult to see. Most children have no obvious immediate symptoms. If there’s suspicion that a child may have been exposed to lead, parents should talk to their child’s healthcare provider about getting a blood lead test. Healthcare providers and most local health departments can test for lead in the blood. Many private insurance policies cover the cost of testing for lead in the blood. The cost of blood lead testing for children enrolled in Medicaid is covered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The health effects of exposure are more harmful to children less than six years of age because their bodies are still developing and growing rapidly. Young children also tend to put their hands or other objects, which may be contaminated with lead dust, into their mouths, so they are more likely to be exposed to lead than older children.

Lead poisoning is caused by exposure to high levels of lead. Lead is most commonly found in houses built before 1978. Symptoms of lead poisoning include headaches, cramps and hyperactivity. Lead poisoning can be diagnosed through a blood lead test. Treatment includes finding and removing the source of the lead to prevent further exposure.

Lead Poisoning

Lead poisoning happens when your child is affected by high levels of lead exposure. Lead poisoning is usually caused by eating or drinking (ingesting) lead, but touching or breathing in the toxic metal can also cause it. Lead poisoning is when any detectable amount of lead is found in your child’s blood.

Lead can affect many parts of your child’s body, including their brain, nerves, blood, digestive organs and more. While lead poisoning can affect anyone, it’s especially dangerous in children. It can damage your child’s nervous system, brain and other organs. Lead poisoning can also lead to severe health, learning and behavioral problems, including sudden brain damage and long-term intellectual deficits.

What is lead?

Lead is a naturally occurring poisonous metal found in small amounts in the earth’s crust. It’s a toxic element that can cause serious health effects in humans and animals. Lead is especially dangerous to babies and young children. It can harm them even before they’re born.

Where is lead found?

Lead is most commonly found in lead paint. Children who live in older houses with peeling lead paint or lead pipes are often affected. Lead can also contaminate:

Herbal remedies or medicines.
Toys and candies from foreign countries.
Stained glass.
Leaded crystal glassware.
Glazed ceramic ware, including plates, pitchers and cups.

When was lead paint banned?

The United States banned lead-based paint in 1978. Before then, lead paint was used inside and outside houses. Older paint cracks and peels easily. When it cracks, it releases microscopic pieces of lead dust into the air. Sanding or scraping the walls of an old house in preparation for a remodel can also release the lead dust.

This lead dust settles on the ground and everything around it. Children can become exposed to lead by putting objects in their mouths or by touching objects containing lead dust and then putting their hands in their mouths.

Since the ban of lead-based paint, lead poisoning cases have dropped. But it’s still a major public health issue in certain areas of the country where older homes are located.

Who does lead poisoning affect?

Lead poisoning can affect anyone, but babies and children under the age of 6 are most at risk because their bodies are still developing. Because their bodies are still growing, their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the harmful effects of lead. In addition, babies and young children tend to pick up objects and put them in their mouths more frequently. These objects could be contaminated with lead.

Often, children who have lead poisoning have no symptoms. Even healthy-looking children can have high levels of lead in their bodies. Symptoms of lead poisoning in children can include:

Cramps.
Hyperactivity (restlessness, fidgeting and talking too much).
Learning problems.
Changes in behavior.
Headaches.
Vomiting.
Fatigue.
Anemia (not enough hemoglobin in their blood).

What are the signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in adults?

Adults can be exposed to lead at work or other places. Symptoms that may develop in adults include:

When do lead poisoning symptoms appear?

Sometimes, children and adults who’ve been exposed to lead have no symptoms. Other times, the symptoms of lead poisoning won’t appear right away. When they do occur, the symptoms may develop over several weeks or months. Sometimes, symptoms flare up sporadically (at irregular times).

How do children get lead poisoning?

Children mainly get lead poisoning by swallowing and/or absorbing lead-based paint used in houses that were built before 1978. Lead paint gets into children’s systems when they:

Eat or touch peeling paint chips and flakes that contain lead.
Put their hands, toys and other items covered with lead dust in their mouths.
Breathe in lead dust.
Chew on windowsills, furniture, door frames and other items covered with lead-based paint.
Drink water from older water pipes that may leach lead.

How do adults get lead poisoning?

Adults can get lead poisoning by being exposed to lead through eating food and drinking water contaminated with lead. They may eat from dishes or drink from cups contaminated with lead. If you work in an environment with lead paint or are working on a home remodel, you could be exposed to lead dust.

What are the effects of lead poisoning in children?

Low blood lead levels in your child can affect virtually all the organs and systems in their body. These effects can include:

Higher blood lead levels can cause seizures and comas. In very rare cases, it can be fatal.

What are the effects of lead poisoning in adults?

Lead poisoning in adults can lead to serious health effects. These effects can include:

High blood pressure (hypertension).
Kidney problems.
Reproductive issues.

If you think you or your child may have been exposed to lead, contact your healthcare provider. They’ll ask about your symptoms and have you or your child get a blood lead test. This test will measure the amount of lead in your or your child’s blood.

The effects of lead poisoning aren’t reversible. But you can reduce blood lead levels and prevent further exposure by finding and removing the sources of lead from your child’s home or environment.

If your child’s blood lead levels are very high, your child’s healthcare provider may treat them with a medication called a chelating agent. This medicine binds the lead in your child’s blood and makes it easier for their body to get rid of it.

Your child’s healthcare provider may also recommend whole-bowel irrigation. With this procedure, your child’s healthcare provider gives your child a special solution called polyethylene glycol by mouth or through a stomach tube to wash out the contents of your child’s stomach and intestines. Bowel irrigation is aimed at preventing further lead absorption if there are lead paint chips identified on an X-ray of your child’s belly.

Lead poisoning is preventable. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider about ways you can prevent lead poisoning. Some ways you can help prevent lead poisoning include:

Make sure your child eats healthy foods that are high in iron, calcium and vitamin C, which help protect against lead poisoning.
If you live in a house or apartment built before 1978, talk to your state or local health department about having your home’s paint and dust tested for lead.
If you rent your home, talk to your landlord about peeling and flaking paint. Call the health department if the paint isn’t safely repaired.
Wash your child’s hands, bottles, pacifiers and toys frequently.
Always wash your hands before eating.
Always wipe your feet before entering the house, and leave your shoes at the door.
Wipe floors and other surfaces with a damp mop or cloth regularly.
If you have lead pipes, stagnant water or hot water can leach lead into your tap water. Let your faucet run cold water for one minute before using for drinking, cooking or making baby formula.
Don’t try to remove lead-based paint yourself.
Avoid any home remedies that contain lead.

What can adults do to prevent lead poisoning?

If you work with lead or are at risk of coming into contact with lead dust, you should:

Use personal protective equipment.
Change your clothing and shoes after work.
Shower when you get home.

Should I be concerned about lead poisoning if I’m pregnant?

If you were affected by lead poisoning as a child, lead may have been deposited in your bones. During pregnancy, you may release the lead from your bones and pass it on to the developing fetus.

Pregnant people should also make sure to avoid new exposure to lead. A fetus can be harmed by lead poisoning even before birth. If your blood lead levels are too high, it can:

Increase your risk for miscarriage.
Cause your baby to be born too early and/or too small.
Damage your baby’s brain, nervous system and kidneys.
Increase the likelihood of learning or behavioral problems in your child.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Lead poisoning happens when your child is exposed to high amounts of lead. It’s a serious condition and is also preventable. Lead can affect almost all your child’s organs and symptoms. It can cause long-term health, behavioral and learning effects. Lead is most commonly found in homes that were built before 1978. If you live in an older home, talk to your local health department about testing your home for lead. If your child develops any of the symptoms of lead poisoning, make sure to see your child’s healthcare provider right away. They can provide treatment and important resources for the future.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/18/2022.

References

American Academy of Family Physicians. Lead Poisoning in Children. (//familydoctor.org/lead-poisoning-in-children/) Accessed 1/18/2022.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. (//www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/default.htm) Accessed 1/18/2022.
Environmental Protection Agency. Learn About Lead. (//www.epa.gov/lead/learn-about-lead) Accessed 1/18/2022.
Merck Manual. Lead Poisoning. (//www.merckmanuals.com/home/injuries-and-poisoning/poisoning/lead-poisoning?query=lead%20poisoning) Accessed 1/18/2022.
World Health Organization. Lead poisoning and health. (//www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-health) Accessed 1/18/2022.

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