What is lead?

Lead is a toxic heavy metal that can cause serious health problems, particularly in young children and pregnant women. Lead can be harmful if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed into the body.

Why is lead harmful?

Lead is dangerous to everyone, but children six and under are at the greatest risk.  Studies show no amount of lead exposure is safe for children.  Children between the ages of 9 months and 6 years of age are at the greatest risk of exposure to lead because they are apt to put fingers, hands, and toys in their mouths.  Most children have no symptoms after exposure to lead.   Lead Poisoning can affect children in the following ways:

• Slow growth and development.
• Behavioral and learning problems.
• Hearing loss and speech difficulties.
• Cases of high lead exposure, can result in anemia, hypertension and kidney damage.

For additional resources and information on the dangers of lead visit:

The Center for Disease Control (CDC)

New York State Department of Health

Sources of lead

Lead can be found in dust, air, water, soil, and in products used in and around homes.  Sources of lead include:

• Flaking or peeling lead-based paint in homes built before 1978.
• Lead dust from flaking or peeling lead-based paint, especially in high friction areas, that lands on windowsills, floors, and toys.
• Plumbing pipes that corrode and leach lead into water in homes build or plumbed before 1985.
• Soil around homes and building when exterior lead-based paint flakes or peels and lead-based drain spouts.
• Herbal medicines imported from the Middle East, Latin America, India, and China.
• Candy and spices imported from Mexico, the Middle East, Latin America, India, and China.
• Cosmetics, such as Kohl, Kajal, Surma, and Sindoor imported from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Middle Eastern and African countries.
• Costume jewelry and toys made in other countries and often sold in dollar and discount stores.
• Ceramic pottery from other countries, especially Latin America, China, and India.