What is lead poisoning?
Lead is a soft metal that can be found naturally in the environment. Even small amounts of lead can cause serious damage to a fetus during pregnancy and to young children under six years of age due to the toxic effects of lead on the developing brain. Children’s small bodies absorb lead easily and are more at risk to its harmful effects. In large quantities, lead poisoning can be fatal to children and adults.
Signs and symptoms of lead poisoning
Long-term exposure leading to chronic symptoms that affect the developing brain is the most common type of lead poisoning.
- loss of appetite
- stomach cramps and abdominal pain
- constipation
- fatigue
- insomnia
- hearing loss
- language or speech delay
- behavioural problems or hyperactivity
- memory or learning problems
- kidney disease
- high blood pressure
- anemia
- headache
Sudden lead poisoning (caused by swallowing objects containing high levels of lead) is rare but can cause severe damage to the brain. A child may have seizures or go into a coma. Sudden exposure to high levels of lead can cause the following signs and symptoms:
Sources of lead exposure
Lead is present naturally in rock and soil and can be released into the environment via mining, manufacturing and metal refining. Lead is present in small amounts in the air, soil, household dust, food, drinking water and products like some costume jewelry or toys. Lead poisoning occurs when lead builds up in the body. The build-up can take place over months or years.
Lead poisoning has many causes. A common cause in young children is swallowing or licking lead-coated objects. Babies and young children often put non-food items in their mouth. Children can inhale contaminated dust or eat lead paint chips during a home renovation or move. Lead poisoning can also be caused by drinking water from lead-coated plumbing. Houses built before 1960 may have lead water service pipes or leaded-brass plumbing faucets and valves that can lead to water contamination.
Other sources of lead poisoning include:
- contaminated air or soil
- some painted toys, household items and cosmetics
- kohl eye make-up
- glazed ceramics made outside of Canada
- leaded glass, such as lead crystal stemware
- storage battery coverings
- bullets
- some Ayurvedic medicine products
- candles with lead in the wicks
Diagnosis of lead poisoning
Screening via blood tests may be important if there is a high-risk exposure, since lead exposure does not always lead to symptoms in children. In Canada, blood lead levels are recommended for children with risk factors, such as:
- living in a residence built before 1960 (especially if original lead piping or original paint remains or the dwelling is under renovation)
- living with a housemate or sibling with a history of lead poisoning
- a history of eating paint chips or licking paint surfaces
- recent emigration from a region with high incidence of lead poisoning
Treatment
Removal of lead from the child’s environment is the main treatment strategy to reduce the possibility of long-term irreversible effects on the developing brain.
Children who have ingested a lead-containing object that is visible in their stomach or intestines on X-ray may be treated with medication to flush the objects out.
For some children with severe symptoms of lead poisoning and high levels of lead in the blood, health-care providers may need to give the child medication called a chelating agent. These are chemicals that can pull lead out of the bloodstream and into the urine so it can leave the body.
Health-care providers will also test other children in the home and inform the local public health unit to identify other children at risk for lead poisoning.
Prevention
There are steps you can take to reduce the amount of lead exposure in your home.
Flush your pipes
Run the water for at least one minute before drinking or cooking if your water has not been used for more than a few hours.
Use cold water
Hot water carries more lead than cold water. Cook with and drink only cold water from pipes.
Breastfeed your baby
Breast milk has much lower lead content than tap water.
Wash hands
Encourage your children to wash hands often, especially before eating. Lead dust is less likely to be ingested after a good wash.
Take off your shoes
Keep outdoor shoes outside your home. The dirt on the bottom of the shoes can contain lead from soil.
Be careful with paint
Older homes may have paint with lead. If old paint is peeling, don’t sand, scrape or vacuum the pain chips since that can create lead dust that can be inhaled.
Clean house often
Dust and clean your house regularly with wet cloths, washing mops regularly and separately from other laundry. This will help remove dust particles that may contain lead.
Remove lead crystal
Avoid using lead crystal containers for food or beverages. Especially, do not serve pregnant women or children drinks in crystal glasses.
Remove brass faucets and valves
Brass fixtures may contain lead.
Consult local government
There are federal and provincial requirements in Canada that oversee water quality and safety. If you live in an older residence that may have lead pipes, or you are concerned about lead in your water supply, consult local city services for information about water testing and pipe replacement.
When to seek medical assistance
See your child’s regular health-care provider if:
- you think your child may have been exposed to small amounts of lead
Take your child to the nearest Emergency Department if your child:
- has swallowed or licked a lead-coated toy or object
References
Buka I and Hervouet-Zeiber C. Canadian Paediatric Society (February 7, 2024). Lead toxicity with a new focus: Addressing low-level lead exposure in Canadian children. Retrieved from https://cps.ca/en/documents/position/lead-toxicity.
Health Canada. Government of Canada. (July 3, 2020). Lead- Information Sheet Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/chemical-substances/fact-sheets/chemicals-glance/lead.html.
Nussbaumer-Streit B, Mayr V, Dobrescu AI, Wagner G, Chapman A, Pfadenhauer LM, Lohner S, Lhachimi SK, Busert LK, Gartlehner G. Household interventions for secondary prevention of domestic lead exposure in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD006047. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006047.pub6. Accessed 19 February 2025.
Toronto Public Health (November 25, 2021). Health Impacts of Lead. Retrieved from https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-programs-advice/health-impacts-of-lead/.