The main lead exposure routes are the respiratory tract, food and water. A person can be exposed to lead by:
inhaling lead particles in dust or fumes while burning lead-containing materials or melting them, negligently recycling secondary materials, cleaning or removing lead-containing paint, using lead-containing gasoline;
ingesting lead-contaminated dust, soil, water (if run through lead pipes), food (if consumed out of tableware made with lead glaze or lead solder, or food cans with lead soldered seams);
using cosmetics which contain lead.