Lead

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What is lead?

Lead is a bluish-gray metal that naturally occurs in small amounts in the environment. In the past, it was used in products such as pencils, paint and gasoline. Today, lead has many industrial uses including the production of batteries, ammunition, metal products, and devices to shield x-rays.

Lead has no obvious taste or smell, however, small amounts of lead can be hazardous to human health.

How does lead affect my health?

Short-term exposure to high levels of lead can cause vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, coma or even death. However, severe cases of acute lead poisoning are rare in Canada. Small amounts of lead can be harmful, especially to infants, young children and pregnant women.

Symptoms of long-term exposure to low lead levels may be less noticeable but are still serious. Long term exposure can cause anemia, when the number of red blood cells in your body is below normal, and may damage the nervous system causing impaired mental function. Other symptoms are appetite loss, abdominal pain, constipation, fatigue, sleeplessness, irritability and headache. Continued excessive exposure can affect the kidneys.

Lead travels in the bloodstream and can be absorbed by soft tissue (kidney, liver, pancreas or brain). After several weeks, any lead not eliminated as waste is stored in hard tissue (bones or teeth) where it can remain for decades. During pregnancy, breastfeeding, serious illness, advancing age, or after a bone is broken, the lead may be re-released into the blood and soft tissues.

Due to this pattern of accumulation in the body, any woman in her childbearing years should avoid exposure to lead whenever possible. During pregnancy, lead can cross the placenta and affect the health and growth and development of the unborn child.

Lead exposure is very serious for young children because they absorb lead more easily than adults and are more susceptible to its harmful effects. Even low level exposure may harm the intellectual development, behaviour, size and hearing of infants and children.

If you are concerned about lead exposure, your doctor can conduct a simple blood test to measure your blood lead level. Your doctor may recommend corrective action if the amount is over 10 micrograms per decilitre.

What are the sources of lead exposure?

Over the past 25 years, Health Canada, Environment Canada, and other Canadian regulatory agencies have substantially reduced Canadians’ exposures to lead by legislating and enforcing maximum lead concentrations in gasoline and house paints and cleaning up contaminated sites.

Despite these guidelines, lead exposure can occur in both outdoor and indoor environments. Lead can be breathed in or swallowed from:

• contaminated soil and dust
• tap water, if plumbing fixtures contain lead
• lead based paint chips
• imported canned food where lead has been used
• wild game obtained using lead shot
• some glazes on pottery dishes
• lead crystal
• some folk remedies
• the wicks of some low quality candles
• some costume and children’s jewellery
• some older inexpensive PVC mini-blinds
• hobbies such as oil painting and stained glass
• industrial and workplace exposures

Houses built before 1960 are likely to have been painted with lead-based paint, although it may have been removed. There is little need for concern about lead levels for homes built after 1980 and as of 1992, all paints for indoor use in Canada are virtually lead free.

How can I reduce the risk of exposure to my family?

The following tips can help you to decrease your family’s risk of lead exposure.

• Dispose of and/or stop using, toys and furniture made before 1975 as they may contain lead paint
• Avoid dust/dirt exposure during renovations. This is particularly important for women who are pregnant/trying to get pregnant and for children. Other individuals should wear approved personal protection equipment.
• Use wet mops/damp cloths to remove dust on furniture, floors or window sills. Brooms and dusters stir up dust that may contain lead particles, release them into the air where they may be inhaled.
• Avoid wearing outdoor footwear in your home.
• Wash children’s hands before eating.
• Frequently wash objects that children may put in their mouths. 
• Do not use paints made before 1976 as they may contain lead.
• Avoid locating vegetable gardens or play areas at the base of older home, porches, sheds and barns.
• If considering renovations in an older home, ensure that you are aware of potential sources of lead exposure and take appropriate protective actions.
• Check with your water utility for information about lead levels. If you have a private well, have your water tested for lead levels. Consider a water treatment device if indicated.
  
• When you use tap water for cooking or drinking, use cold tap water only as hot water may acquire more lead from pipes.
• Let tap water run for about 1 minute in the morning before you take your first drink.
• Do not serve pregnant women or children drinks in crystal glasses.
• Do not store foods or liquids in crystal or antique dishes or those made by hobbyists. To check dishes for lead, use a commercially available test kit.
• Lock supplies for hobbies out of your child’s reach.
• Never burn painted wood or coloured paper – paints and inks can contain lead.
• Workers exposed to lead should shower at work and avoid wearing or laundering work clothes at home.
• Make sure your child eats nutritious meals with plenty of calcium and iron. Kids who have healthy diets take less lead into their bodies.

Where can I find more information on lead?

For more information and to speak to a public health professional call Your Health Connection Monday to Friday at 721-7520 (1-877-721-7520) and visit the following websites.

Lead and Human Health - Health Canada

Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Environment Canada


Adapted from Health Canada