Lead exposure can cause irreversible harm to young children, babies, and fetuses.
Adding to the concern, is the fact that most children with elevated blood lead levels do not have overt, easily identifiable symptoms. Lead is a naturally occurring element that is highly toxic to humans of all ages when taken into the body through ingestion or inhalation. However, lead is most hazardous to young children, whose still-developing brains and nervous systems are particularly vulnerable to lead. Low levels of lead exposure in children can produce permanent nervous system damage, including reduction of intelligence and attention span, reading and learning disabilities, and behavior problems. Very high levels of lead exposure can cause mental retardation, coma, convulsions, and even death.