Chief Causes of Concern

Lead…

• Particularly affects young children and infants
• Is still found at high levels in urban and industrial areas
• Deposits on soil and water and harms animals and fish

Children are at greatest risk

Although overall blood lead levels have decreased since 1976, infants and young children still have the highest blood lead levels. Children and others can be exposed to lead not only through the air, but also through accidentally or intentionally eating soil or paint chips, as well as food or water contaminated with lead.

High levels of lead are still of concern in localized areas.

Urban areas with high levels of traffic, trash incinerators, or other industry, as well as areas near lead smelters, battery plants, or industrial facilities that burn fuel, may still have high lead levels in air. In 1999, ten areas of the country did not meet the national health-based air quality standards for lead.