How Lead Poisoning Occurs

Lead enters your body when you ingest (eat) or inhale (breathe) it.

Child Playing in Dirt_meghan-holmes-qkTf-r5iZpE-unsplash

INGESTION (EATING)

A child may eat lead when they:

  • Touch lead dust (on floor, windowsill, items, in soil) and put their hand in their mouth
  • Play in soil that contains lead, then put dirty hands in their mouth
  • Put objects that contain lead in their mouth 
  • Eat lead-based paint chips. These can taste sweet, tempting children to eat more.
  • Drink water or eat food that is contaminated with lead
Toddler Standing at Window_paul-hanaoka-9-nGBzwzquo-unsplash

Inhalation (breathing)

  • When a child breathes in lead dust (from floor, windowsill, items, soil)