Lead is a very strong poison. When a person swallows a lead
object or breathes in lead dust, some of the poison can stay in
the body and cause serious health problems. Lead used to be very
common in gasoline and house paint in the U.S. Children living
in cities with older houses are more likely to have high levels
of lead. Although gasoline and paint are no longer made with
lead in them, lead is still a health problem. Lead is
everywhere, including dirt, dust, new toys, and old house paint.
Unfortunately, you can't see, taste, or smell lead. Lead is
found in: House paint before 1978. Even if the paint is not
peeling, it can be a problem. Lead paint is very dangerous when
it is being stripped or sanded. These actions release fine lead
dust into the air. Infants and children living in pre-1960's
housing (when paint often contained lead) have the highest risk
of lead poisoning. Small children often swallow paint chips or
dust from lead-based paint. Toys and furniture painted before
1976. Painted toys and decorat