For a free brochure containing the information on this page, contact the nearest DNR office and request publication number WS-015. Concerns for private well owners. There is growing evidence that even moderate levels of lead can be harmful to human health, and particularly to the health of small children and developing fetuses. There is growing evidence that even moderate levels of lead can be harmful to human health, and particularly to the health of small children and developing fetuses. Lead is widespread in the environment, and people absorb lead from a variety of sources every day.
Food is the greatest single source of lead for the average adult.
In the past few years, federal controls on lead in gasoline have significantly reduced total human exposure to lead. Lead absorbed by the lungs and the digestive tract from all sources enters the bloodstream, where it distributes to all tissues of the body. Excessive levels of lead can damage the brain, kidneys, nervous system, red blood cells and reproductive system. Known effects of exposure to lead range from subtle changes in body system functions at low levels of exposure, to severe toxic effects or even death at very high levels associated with acute poisoning. Some harmful effects are reversible if exposure is reduced, while other harmful effects can be permanent.