Children are at the biggest risk from lead. Thats because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults and their brains and nervous system are more at risk of being damaged. They can be exposed to lead by eating and drinking food or water containing lead.
Children who test more than 5 micrograms per deciliter of lead in blood is considered to be in danger. About 2.5% of children 1-5 years old are expected to be in this level.
From this figure, you can see that the largest decline of lead occurred from the 70s to 90s after the elimination of leaded gasoline.
Even with low levels of lead in the blood, children can develop
- Behavior and learning problems
- Lower IQ and Hyperactivity
- Slowed growth
- Hearing Problems
- Anemia
Pregnant women are also at risk. They can breathe lead dust from areas that lead paint is peeling. A pregnant women’s exposure to lead is troubling because it could affect her developing baby. This could result in reduced growth of the fetus and premature birth
