Sources of Lead in Homes
The table below shows significant sources of lead we have found in homes that we tested for our current lead reduction studies. We test the interiors and exteriors of homes using a combination of sampling and analysis methods including dust wipes, soil and water sampling, portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyses. Unfortunately, lead has been used widely, for decades, in many products that end up in people’s homes, and are still found in homes today. Sources of lead in the home environment must be identified and removed or mitigated in order to reduce child exposure to lead in the home environment.
DISCLAIMER: The lead concentrations for household items shown below represent the testing of only single items. In order to declare that all or most items similar to those shown below are positive for lead would require repeat testings of many examples of the given object. This type of testing has not yet been completed. The results shown below only suggest that similar items have a higher risk of lead content as compared to objects made of different materials.Lead-based paint
Deteriorating or chipping paint in walls, especially window frames, windowsills, doors, and door frames of homes built before 1978 are suspicious for lead-based paint. Hire lead professionals to test home or treat areas as positive for lead-based paint.
EPA and HUD define lead-based paint when it equals or is greater than 1 µg/cm^2.
Methods for addressing lead-based paint ranked from the most effective and least expensive:
Method |
Effectiveness |
Life |
Cost |
Lead-encapsulating paint |
Very effective |
Up to 10 years |
About $50/gallon |
Vinyl casing of windows |
Very effective |
Up to 10 years |
About $100 -200/window*
|
Replacing windows |
Very effective |
Up to 20 years |
About $500-$1500/window* |
*Work is done by a lead-certified contractor
To learn more about safe handling practices for lead-based paint click here
![]() |
Household Dust
Lead in household dust can result from such as deteriorating lead-based paint. Lead dust can also be tracked into the home from lead-contaminated soil immediately outside the home.
Recommended lead-safe practices:
- Remove shoes before entering your home
- Use a HEPA vacuum to remove dust
- Vacuum frequently
- Wet mop/wet wipe dusty surfaces to prevent dust from spreading
Image 1: Example of the wet wipe method for cleaning dust from surfaces. |
![]() |
Toys
Lead has been found in the paint, metal, and plastic parts of some toys and toy jewelry, particularly those made in other countries. High lead content has also been found in some antique toys and “collectible” toys. Unfortunately, toy recalls do not solve the problem and it is still possible to find on store shelves new toys that were recalled for lead in previous years.
The allowable limit of lead by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission in items intended for children is 90 parts per million in the material, and 1 µg/cm^3 in the paint.
Recommended Lead-Safe Practices:
- Educate yourself, become knowledgeable about which toys have been identified as having lead; this information is readily available online through simple internet searches
- Safely discard old toys suspected of having a significant lead content
- Replace toys with new ones from a different manufacturer
- Avoid purchasing painted toys and look for toys with stickers instead
- Avoid purchasing metal toys
Examples of toys that have been found to have lead:
- Thomas the Tank Engine toys
- Metal Lego pieces
- Metal Hotwheels cars
|
|
Image 2: Thomas the Train toys contained detectable and exceeding current standards of lead.
|
Image 3: Metal lego piece contained detectable and exceeding current standards of lead.
|
|
Image 4: Hot Wheels toy car contained detectable and exceeding current standards of lead. |
Mini Blinds
Imported vinyl plastic mini-blinds that were made before 1997 can have remarkably high levels of lead. These blinds are still installed today in many homes. Mini-blinds are difficult to clean. Heavy layers of dust can accumulate on the slates. The lead content from the blinds can contaminate household dust, and, with exposure to sunlight and heat, the slat material deteriorates, chips, and ends up on floors and windowsills, and in areas where young children play. The greatest risk to children is through inhalation of lead-contaminated dust and ingestion of chips.
Currently, there is no limit set by a regulating agency on the amount of lead in mini blinds.
Recommended Lead-Safe Practices:
- Test mini-blinds for lead content
- If in doubt, and certainly if currently installed mini-blinds are deteriorating, remove, and safely dispose
- Replace blinds with blinds labeled “No Lead Added” or “Non-Leaded Formula” or “Lead-Free”
- Frequently wet wipe “safe” mini-blinds to reduce the accumulation of household dust
![]() |
Glazed pottery
Lead may be found in the glazes or decorations covering the surface of some traditional pottery. This lead can leach into food and drink that is prepared, stored, or served in the dishes.
Recommended Lead-Safe Practices:
- Throw away glazed pottery containing lead
- Use pottery for decoration use ONLY (place pottery out of child's reach)
![]() |
Image 2: Glazed plate tested contained detectable and exceeding current standards of lead.
|
Other Household Items
Old furniture may contain lead-based paint. Old doorknobs painted furniture, and furniture imported from other countries may contain lead-based paint. It is important to get older household items tested for lead.
Recommended Lead-Safe Practices:
- Get household items tested for lead
- Keep items suspected for lead out of child's reach
- Replace old furniture with new furniture
- Replace old doorknobs with new knobs
Examples of household items that have been found to have lead:
- Doorknobs
- Artisanal tile table
- Table Set from Mexico
- Basketball hoop pole
Image 1: Doorknob contained detectable and exceeding current standards of lead. |
|
Image 2: Artisanal tile table contained detectable and exceeding current standards of lead.
|
Image 3: Chair from table set imported from Mexico contained detectable and exceeding current standards of lead.
|
|
Image 4: Basketball hoop pole contained detectable and exceeding current standards of lead.
|
Soil
Children can be exposed to lead by playing in lead-contaminated soil and by putting their hands in their mouths, or sucking on toys that carry lead-contaminated dirt. Lead-contaminated soil particles can also be brought in the home as dirt on shoes, clothing, or pets, and can accumulate in household dust. Some young children intentionally eat soil (referred to as “pica”). Children may also be exposed by eating fruits and vegetables grown in or near lead-contaminated soil.
Recommended Lead-Safe Practices:
- Remove shoes before coming in the house
- Cover bare soil with mulch, rocks, or plastic
- Wash your child's hands after playing outside
- Apply ground limestone on contaminated soil
- Discourage child from playing in areas suspected of lead contamination
- Brush off the fur and paws of pets outside before allowing them in the home, especially if the pets snuggle with children.
Image 1: Child playing in soil. |
|
Image 2: Bare soil covered in mulch. |
Kitchenware
Cooking discs, mugs, and other kitchenware may contain lead. It is important to get kitchenware tested for lead. Kitchenware that is not manufactured properly can cause lead to leach into food and drink that is prepared, stored, or served in them.
Recommended Lead-Safe Practices:
- Discard kitchenware that tests positive for lead
- Replace old kitchenware with new kitchenware
- Keep suspect kitchenware out of child's reach
Examples of kitchenware that have been found to have lead:
- Cooking disc
- Shopkins mugs
Image 1: Cooking disc contained detectable and exceeding current standards of lead. |
Image 2: Shopkins mugs contained detectable and exceeding current standards of lead. |