Where is lead found?
Children are most often exposed to lead from: • Deteriorating lead-based paint – Houses built before may have lead-based paint. The older the house, the greater the likelihood that lead-based paint was used. • Lead dust – Lead-based paint on window sashes and door jambs can be rubbed off by friction. • Lead contaminated soil – Lead can get into soil from lead-based paint or from lead contaminated car battery parts. Children can be exposed to lead through other sources, including: • Water supply pipes and fixtures – Lead solder was used in water supply pipes until 1986. Some water fixtures contain fittings that may still have lead content. • Costume jewelry and toys – Products such as costume jewelry, imported crayons or toys, or painted furniture may contain lead, especially if manufactured in a foreign country. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a list of product recalls. • • • • Car battery chips or pieces – Some properties in Dakota County may have b
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint. Paint. Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. The federal government banned lead based paint from housing in 1978. Some states stopped its use even earlier. Lead can be found: * In homes in the city, country or suburbs. * In apartments, single-family homes, and both private and public housing. * Inside and outside of the house. In soil around a home. Soil can pick up lead from exterior paint, or other sources such as past use of leaded gas in cars, and children playing in yards can ingest or inhale lead dust. Household dust. Dust can pick up lead from deteriorating lead-based paint or from soil tracked into a home. Drinking water. Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. Call your local health department or water supplier to find out about testing your water. You cannot see, smell or taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of lea
