Lead Is Still Around!!!
Contents of this Article
Common Uses of Lead
In the past, lead was used to make common items found in or near homes. These items include paint, gasoline, water pipes, and food cans.
Paint - The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. Some states stopped its use even earlier, although 83 percent of private housing and 86 percent of public housing built prior to 1980 contain some lead-based paint. Also in 1978, the CPSC made it illegal to paint children's toys and household furniture with lead-based paint. In most cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard, and it is "not on an impact or friction surface" like a window or door and door frame (surfaces that bump or rub together). Lead-based paint "is" a hazard if it is peeling, chipping, flaking, chalking, cracking, dry scraped or sanded, bumped, rubbed or chewed. Remember, disturbing lead-based paint can create a lead-poisoning hazard. Do not burn painted wood since it may contain lead.
Gasoline - In 1978, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reduced the amount of lead allowed in gasoline. (Oil companies used to add lead to gasoline to stop engine knocking in automobiles, but dangerous lead particles escaped into the air through auto exhaust systems).
Fixtures, Pipes, or Pipe Soldering - Lead used in fixtures, pipes, or pipe soldering can leach into water that flows through the pipes. In 1986 and again in 1988, Congress changed the Safe Drinking Water Act to restrict the use of lead in pipes, solder, and other components used in public water systems and residential and nonresidential plumbing. Unfortunately, lead may still be found in pipes today.
Food Cans - The lead solder used to seal food cans can mix with the food in the can. The United States banned the use of lead solder in cans in 1995, but it is still used in many other countries. Lead solder may be found in cans imported to the United States.
More Uses of Lead
- Some imported toys (painted toys and decorations made outside the United States).
- Some inks.
- Plasters.
- Miniature lead figures (always look at labels).
- Children's paint sets and art supplies (always look at labels).
- Lead toy soldiers.
- Pewter pitchers and dinnerware.
- Some metal jewelry.
- Leaded crystal.
- Hobby materials:
- Lead-glazed or lead-painted pottery or ceramics.
- Hobbies involving soldering.
- Artists' paints.
- Jewelry making.
- Stained glass treatments.
- Ammunition - lead bullets and shotgun pellets.
- Lead sinkers used in fishing - most fishing weights and sinkers are made from lead.
- Curtain weights.
- Some plastic mini-blinds and vertical blinds which were manufactured in other countries.
- Batteries - the largest use for lead is in storage batteries in cars and other vehicles.
- Gasoline.
- Cosmetics and hair dye - some hair dyes and some non-Western cosmetics, such as kajal and surma, or kohl, contain lead.
- Progressive hair dyes: Applied over time to gradually color the hair, these dyes contain lead acetate. After studying information on their safety, FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) found that lead exposure from these dyes was insignificant and that the dyes could be used safely, says John Bailey, Ph.D., director of FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors. "But we restricted how much could be in the product, and we required specific labeling instructions, including a warning to keep it out of the reach of children."
- Kajal and surma, or kohl: These unapproved dyes in certain eye cosmetics from the Middle East contain potentially harmful amounts of lead. A 7-month-old in 1992 had a 39 mcg/dL blood lead level due to surma applied to the lower inner eyelid. John Bailey, Ph.D., director of FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors says, "They are sold in stores specializing in Middle East products or brought into the country in personal luggage." He stresses that people using these cosmetics "need to understand the potentially serious health risk."
- Calcium Products: Some people have expressed concern about lead in calcium supplements. Lead is a common contaminant in calcium from such natural sources as dolomitic limestone and oyster shells, but levels vary considerably from trace amounts to higher levels. However, FDA's (United States Food and Drug Administration) Clark Carrington, Ph.D., of FDA's dairy foods and beverages contaminants branch says, "Since calcium intakes decrease lead absorption, supplements that correct low calcium intakes may reduce lead absorption, even though they contain small amounts of lead." Lead is also found in other calcium sources. For example, lead in milk is usually too low to measure, but FDA's yearly Total Diet Study of foods in grocery stores sometimes detects lead in milk, says Carrington. FDA has been petitioned to establish a tolerance level for lead in calcium sources used in dietary supplements. According to Robert Moore, Ph.D., of the agency's Office of Special Nutritionals regulatory branch, two petitions propose different tolerance levels - one similar to current industry standards and one considerably lower. FDA is reviewing the issues raised in the two documents.
- Folk remedies that contain lead can cause lead poisoning, such as "greta" and "azarcon" used in Hispanic and Asian communities to treat an upset stomach, diarrhea or other ailments. Greta, for example, is 99 percent lead oxide. Other examples include alarcon, coral, liga, maria luisa, ghasard, alkohl, bali goli, and rueda. Another is "Pay loo ah," which is a red powder used to treat a rash or fever. Putting lead into a human body is dangerous, and it does not cure such ailments.
- Metal products (solder, pipes, faucets) - lead can enter drinking water from plumbing materials - while new building codes require lead-free solder, lead is still found in some modern faucets.
- Devices to shield X-rays.
- Lead can be emitted into the air from motor vehicles and industrial sources.
- Soil contaminated by decades of car exhaust or years of house paint scrapings. Lead is more common in soil near highways and houses.
- The production of lead alloys.
- Manufacturing of corrosion-resistant and acid-resistant materials used in the building industry.
Because of health concerns, lead from gasoline, paints and ceramic products, caulking, and pipe solder has been dramatically reduced in recent years.
Since 1980, federal and state regulatory standards have helped to minimize or eliminate the amount of lead in consumer products and occupational settings. Today, the most common sources of lead exposure in the United States are lead-based paint in older homes, contaminated soil, household dust, drinking water, lead crystal, and lead-glazed pottery.
If you think your home has high levels of lead, call the numbers below to help you prevent lead poisoning and eliminate the problem forever.
For More Information
There are state and federal programs in place to ensure that testing for lead is done safely, reliably, and effectively. Contact your state or local agency, or for more information on lead poisoning, or for other information on lead hazards call:
National Lead Information Center to speak with a lead information specialist.
1-800-424-LEAD (5323).
EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline for information on lead hazards in your drinking water.
1-800-426-4791
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Hotline for information on lead in consumer products, or to report an unsafe consumer product or a product-related injury.
1-800-638-2772
For information on lead regulations, outreach efforts, and lead hazard control and research grant programs contact:
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control
451 Seventh Street, SW, P-3206
Washington, DC 20410
202-755-1785
Hearing Impaired call the Federal Information Relay Service
1-800-877-8339.
The information provided in this summary is based upon scientific and technical understanding of the issues presented and is reflective of the jurisdictional boundaries established by the statutes governing the co-authoring agencies. Following the advice given will not necessarily provide complete protection in all situations or against all health hazards that can be caused by lead exposure.
U.S. EPA Washington DC 20460
U.S. CPSC Washington DC 20207
U.S. HUD Washington DC 20410
EPA747-K99-001
June 2003
References:
1) ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) - Department of Health and Human Services - January 2008 - www.atsdr.cdc.gov
2) EPA - United States Environmental Protection Agency - June 2003 - www.epa.gov
3) United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - FDA Consumer - January - February 1998 - www.cfsan.fda.gov
4) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) - National Institutes of Health - Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Jan 2008 - www.niehs.nih.gov
This summary is a general overview about the topic discussed and does not include all the facts, or include everything there is to know about any medicine and/or products mentioned. Do not use any medicine and/or products without first talking to your doctor. Possible side effects of medications, other than those listed, may occur. Full Disclaimer & General Safety Advisory