Cleaner diesel and more district heating results in less soot, tar, sulphur and acid rain pollution. Unleaded petrol has markedly reduced lead pollution. However, the long-standing ground pollution is not disappearing. Lead Lead levels in the air have been reduced due to the increase in lead-free petrol used for road vehicles and so most of the lead ingested by children usually stems from food. It is not yet clear whether lead in the soil, when in contact with skin, is as readily absorbed by the body as is lead in food, but we must assume that there are potential health hazards for children when they play on contaminated soil and ground.
Children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning, which damages the brain and nervous system.
Studies have demonstrated a direct correlation between high levels of lead in the blood and impaired concentration, language skills and learning capacity. Studies have also shown a clear connection between lead contamination in the soil and levels of lead in the blood. These findings may be explained by the fact that older children have a lesser tendency to put dirty objects in their mouth. It could also relate to the fact that lead is absorbed in the bone as infants grow into young children. Tar One can be exposed to tar through breathing, absorption from the intestines and skin contact.