In solid form, it is commonly used as fishing weights. Lead compounds were used to make indoor and outdoor paint until the late 1970's. Since then its use in paint has been prohibited. In most homes built before this time, painted surfaces probably contain lead. For most infants and young children who have elevated lead concentrations in their bodies, leaded paint in older homes is the main source.
Some children actually eat lead-containing paint chips, which taste sweet.
Others ingest it in the form of dust by breathing or when hands and other objects are put in the mouth. During renovation, scraping and sanding of lead-painted surfaces can cause major problems. In most cases lead can cause serious problems before the child appears to be sick. Once lead enters the body, it tends to stay there. Continued exposure causes higher and higher levels in the body.