This Bulletin summarizes the important findings and recommendations contained in the aforementioned guidance and alert documents.
Lead poisoning is one of the most common environmental health problems for children today.
It is especially dangerous to children six years of age or younger and can result in reduced attention span, behavioral problems, reduced IQ, learning disabilities, hearing problems and slowed growth. Outside play areas may contain equipment with chipping or peeling lead-based paint, which along with soil, may be ingested by children putting their hands in their mouths. Neither the CPSC or EPA have specific data documenting any cases of poisoning associated with lead-based paint in playgrounds. They state that risks from deteriorating paint would be similar to lead-based paint on the exterior of residential structures. The risk to children would be negligible as long as the paint is intact.