How does lead harm people?
Once in the body, lead gets into the bloodstream and circulates to all of the organs in the body like the liver, kidneys, and brain where it does damage. People, especially children, can get sick when they get exposed to small amounts of lead for a long time, or when they get exposed to a large amount of lead just once.
Exposure to a large amount of lead may require immediate attention. A small lead paint chip has enough lead in it to send a person to the hospital if ingested. A very small amount of dust with lead in it can also poison a child.
Exposure to small amounts of lead can happen when a child puts his or her mouth on toys covered with lead dust, or opens and closes the doors or windows inside a home painted with lead-based paint. Over time, small doses of lead can build up in the bones and teeth. Lead in teeth and bones can stay there for years. Sometimes this stored lead is released back into the bloodstream and circulates again to the organs in the body. This means that exposures to lead from a long time ago can still affect a person today.
Lead exposure is especially harmful for children. Lead affects how much iron, calcium, and other minerals are absorbed in the body. Children grow rapidly and these minerals are very important for their good health. Low levels of lead can cause learning and behavioral problems. In addition, it also can harm growing organs, muscles, and bone, and it can slow a child's development.