Lead poisoning is one of the most common and preventable pediatric health problems today. Lead is ubiquitous in the human environment as a result of industrialization. It has no known physiologic value. Children are particularly susceptible to lead's toxic effects. The vast majority of cases' therefore, go undiagnosed and untreated.
Lead poisoning is widespread.
It is not solely a problem of inner city or minority children. No socioeconomic group, geographic area, or racial or ethnic population is spared. A child's environment is full of lead. Although all U. S. children are exposed to some lead from food, air, dust, and soil, some children are exposed to high dose sources of lead. Multiple, low-level inputs of lead can result in significant aggregate exposure.