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Lead
What is lead?Lead is a heavy metal
that should not be found in the body. Lead in the body can cause serious health problems. The good news is that lead exposure can be prevented.
How does lead enter the body?
Lead can pass from a mother to her baby during pregnancy. Toddlers and young children explore the world around
them by putting objects into their mouths; this puts them at risk for swallowing lead dust.
There is NO safe blood lead level.
Most Common Sources of Lead
Lead is no longer in gasoline or paint, but it may still be found in older homes built before 1978, especially in paint,
dust, and soil. Lead dust is currently the main source of lead exposure among children. Children can breathe in or swallow the lead dust.
To learn more about lead visit the MN Dept of Health (MDH) website: