Children face great risks because their bodies absorb lead more easily than adult bodies do. Children put everything into their mouths and no matter how hard you try, it is impossible to keep and eye on a toddler every minute. Millions of American children are affected by lead poisoning. Children who live in old, poorly maintained housing or in housing undergoing renovation, face the greatest risk. Suburban and rural children face danger too, if they live in older homes with peeling or chipping paint or in houses being renovated.
Lead paint is the major source of lead poisoning in the United States.
Chipped or peeling lead paint poses the greatest risk. However, even intact lead paint can create fine lead dust which may be difficult to see. Millions of homes have lead on windows and sills, doorframes, stairways, railings, banisters, woodwork, molding, porches, fences. Peeling paint and dust caused by lead paint chips are either inhaled by children or eaten by children. Children also suck on their hands or toys that have lead dust on them.