Lead Poisoning From Sources Other Than Paint

Chipping and peeling lead paint is the leading cause of childhood lead poisoning, however, lead poisoning can also be caused by lead contaminated dust, lead in soil, lead from industrial sources, products containing lead and lead in drinking water. Lead contamination in the air and soil are often found near lead smelters, waste incinerators, utilities and lead-acid battery manufacturers. Common renovations also are known to create lead dust and contaminate the soil near the renovated property. To protect against this risk, the EPA has recently enacted a rule requiring contractors to use lead-safe work practices.

Also, some products have been found to contain excessive levels of lead, including children's products. The Consumer Product Safety Commission maintains a list of products recalled because of excessive levels of lead on its website.