What is lead poisoning?

Also known as: plumbism.

Lead is a toxic metal that used to be a component of paint, pipes and other industrial items. While lead has been removed from paint since the 1970’s at least 4 million households have children living in them being exposed to high levels of lead, exposing approximately 500,000 children below the age of 5 years (when they are most vulnerable to the mental and physical toxic side effects). Other sources of contaminated lead intake include contaminated water, air, soil, toys, traditional medicines, batteries, solder, pottery, roofing material, and some cosmetics.


Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM

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