Lead poisoning is the leading preventable disease of U.S. children.
Both EPA and HHS have declared lead poisoning the No. 1 environmental disease of U.S. children. Even at low levels, lead poisoning causes loss of IQ and attention span, hyperactivity, aggressive behavior, reading disabiities, and other learning and behavioral problems. Children under age 6 are most vulnerable to lead poisoning. Childhood lead poisoning disproportionately affects minorities, disadvantaged, and low income people. Most children are poisoned by lead-based paint and dust hazards in their homes.