Lead can damage the central nervous system, kidneys and reproductive organs and, in rare cases, can cause coma, convulsions and death. Even low levels of lead are associated with decreased intelligence, decreased stature and growth, damaged hearing and impaired neurobehavioral development. It's not just an illness of poverty, however. They were completely unaware of the dangers and were not taking precautions. He used it for home improvement projects.
Lead poisoning caused by eating paint chips is now rare.
Children are more likely to be exposed to dust from deteriorating paint mixed in with ordinary household dust. Small amounts are ingested daily as children regularly touch contaminated objects. Once absorbed in the body, lead levels accumulate. What's most unfortunate is that lead poisoning is entirely preventable. Peeling paint, deadly dust State attorneys general at a conference last fall said they were beginning to explore suits against lead pigment makers.