Lead Poisoning

Lead Poisoning Prevention - Children

Lead can damage nearly every system in the human body, and has harmful effects on both adults and children. Lead poisoning is the greatest environmental threat to children in Ohio.

Potential Sources of Lead Exposure

Deteriorating lead-based paint is identified as the most probable cause of elevated blood lead levels in people in the vast majority of ODH’s environmental assessments. Elevated lead levels in drinking water is rarely the most probable cause of lead poisoning. 

There are numerous potential sources of lead exposure:

• Cosmetics containing lead
• Foods containing lead
• Hobbies that include using lead-based materials
• Lead dust
• Occupations that involve exposure to lead
• Soil contaminated with lead
• Toys containing lead such as lead-based paint
• Water with elevated lead levels
• Other sources

For More Information on Lead Poisoning