Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance


	News & Events Resources Get Involved Contact

Paint
Lead was used in paint to add color, improve the ability of the paint to hide the surface it covers, and to make it last longer. It was used both inside and outside of a home. In 1978 the federal government banned lead paint for use in homes. In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint. Painted toys and furniture made before 1978 may also contain lead-based paint. Children may eat paint chips or chew on the surfaces of cribs, highchairs, windows, woodwork, walls, doors, or railings. Lead-based paint becomes dangerous when it chips, turns into dust, or gets into the soil. To find ways to reduce contamination from lead in paint. (link to working with paint brochure)
Note: Lead-based paint that is in good condition is usually not a hazard

Soil
Before 1978 companies used to add lead to gasoline. Lead particles escaped from car exhaust systems and went into the air. This lead fell to the ground and mixed with soil near roads and is difficult to remove. Homes near busy streets may have high levels of lead in the soil. Today, lead still comes from metal smelting, battery manufacturing, and other factories that use lead. This too may contribute to the soil contamination of lead for homes near any of these sources. Flaking lead-based paint on the outside of buildings can also mix with the soil close to buildings. Lead-based paint mixing with soil is a big problem during home remodeling if workers are not careful. Once the soil has lead in it, wind can stir up lead dust, and blow it into homes and yards. To find ways to reduce contamination from lead in soil (Click here)

Drinking Water
Homes built before 1930 often have plumbing with lead in it. The lead in the plumbing can get into the water flowing through it. Older plumbing parts such as faucets, fittings, and pipes may contain lead. Older water well pumps made with brass or bronze parts may also contain lead. Copper pipes are now used in most homes, but lead solder may have been used to connect these pipes. In 1986 and 1988 laws were passed to prevent the use of lead in pipes, solder, and other plumbing parts. However, some new brass faucets and fixtures may still contain small amounts of lead. Lead is most likely to get into warm water that is soft or acidic. (Statement from MUD) To find ways to reduce water contamination from lead in drinking water (Click here).

Dust
Lead dust is the most common way that people are exposed to lead. Inside the home, most lead dust comes from chipping and flaking paint or when paint is scraped, burned, sanded, or disturbed during home remodeling. Chipping and peeling paint is found mostly on surfaces that rub or bump up against another surface. These surfaces include doors and windows. Young children who crawl and often put their hands and other objects in their mouths usually get exposed to lead when they put something with lead dust on it into their mouths. Lead dust may not be visible to the naked eye. To protect yourself and your family from lead dust, click here(Cleaning Methods)

Workplace and Hobbies
People exposed to lead at work may bring lead home on their clothes, shoes, hair, or skin. Some jobs that expose people to lead include home improvement, painting and refinishing, car or radiator repair, plumbing, construction, welding and cutting, electronics, municipal waste incineration, battery manufacturing, lead compound manufacturing, rubber products and plastics manufacturing, lead smelting and refining, working in brass or bronze foundries, demolition, and working with scrap metal. Some hobbies also use lead. These hobbies include making pottery, stained glass, fishing, and refinishing furniture. If you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes, shower and change clothes before coming home. Launder your work clothes separately from the rest of your family's clothes.

Imported Items

Food Cans

Folk Medicines and Cosmetics

Candies or Foods

Other Sources

Mini-Blinds

Some Pottery, Crystal and Tableware

Metal Jewelry

Additional Items*

*Not all brands of these products use lead.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has information about lead in other consumer products. They can be reached at 800-638-2772.