Children may be exposed to lead in old paint, soil or other sources in their environment. You can protect your family from lead poisoning by learning more about where lead is found and how to prevent exposure. If your child has been exposed to lead, you can find out from a simple blood test at the doctor's office.
Most children with elevated blood lead levels will not have high enough exposure to cause physical symptoms, but are at risk for lowered IQ and hyperactivity and attention problems. Higher blood lead levels can cause headaches, hearing loss, irritability, and abdominal pain.
Lead Exposure Risk by County
Every child is at risk of being exposed to lead. However, there are some areas in Virginia where the lead exposure risk is higher than other areas. Review the Lead Exposure Risk map to determine lead exposure risk in your area. Talk to your health care provider about getting your children tested for lead in their blood if:
- you think they may have been exposed to lead
- you live in a moderate, high, or very high risk area for lead exposure
- your children are at high risk for lead exposure, regardless of where you live in Virginia
Lead Poisoning Prevention Information
How are children exposed to lead?
- Paint. The main source of household lead exposure is from lead in paint, found in houses built before 1978. Dust and flaking paint, especially around friction surfaces such as doorways and window sills, is a major source of lead for children.
- Soil. Lead may be present in soil surrounding old buildings that were painted with lead paint, and close to roads, where lead from gasoline may have settled. You child can become exposed to lead if they play in bare soil and put their hands and feet in their mouths.
- Water. Lead may be in the water in older homes where the pipes, fixtures, or solder may contain lead. The VDH Office of Drinking Water can provide further information about water quality in Virginia.
- Adult professions and hobbies. Some professions and hobbies may expose parents to lead, which can then be brought to the home on their clothing. Visit our Information for Adults page for more information about these sources.
- Consumer products. Many consumer products, including some toys, jewelry, imported spices, cosmetics, medicines, and old vinyl blinds, may include lead.
- Traditional medicines. Some traditional medicines that have been known to contain lead include:
-
- Azarcon, Ba-baw-san, Bali Gholia, Daw Tway, Ghasard, Greta, Kandu, Paylooah
-
- Traditional cosmetics. Some traditional cosmetics that have been known to contain lead include:
-
- Kajal, Kohl, Sindoor, Surma
-
For more information about recalled products due to lead contamination, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website.
Is there lead in food?
Overall, food is usually not a major source of lead exposure. However, there are a few food sources that have a higher risk of containing lead:
- Some imported spices can contain lead, such as:
-
- Kviteli kvavali, svanuri marili, kharcho suneli, utskho suneli, turmeric, curry, masala, and adjika.
-
- Leafy greens and other produce can become a source of lead exposure if they are grown in soil contaminated with lead, or grown in areas where lead particles may settle.
- Hunting with lead shot can contaminate meat with lead.
How can I keep my family safe from lead in the environment?
Simple prevention measurescan keep you and your family safe from sources of lead in your home. If you are pregnant, you should follow the same advice to avoid exposing yourself to lead, which can be passed on to your baby.
- Keep a clean environment by removing shoes when entering the house.
- Wet-wipe and wet-mop (especially around window sills and house entrances).
- Regularly wash children’s hands and toys. This can prevent lead exposure from lead dust in older houses where lead-based paint has been used.
- Prioritize cleaning areas of the home where children under the age of three spend most of their time.
- Prevent children from playing in bare soil, or cover it with mulch or wood chips or by planting grass. Avoid planting gardens close to old structures or high traffic areas.
- Wash children’s hands and change their clothes after they play outside to prevent bringing lead-contaminated soil into the house.
- Run the water for about 60 seconds before use, and use cold water only to cook, drink, and mix baby formula. This can help reduce exposure to lead if it is in your plumbing and contaminating your water.
It is important to use lead-safe practices when doing renovations on older homes. You can learn more about how to protect your family during home renovations at our page for homeowners.
Adults who are exposed to lead through work or hobbies should take steps to avoid bringing lead into the home by:
- Changing clothes immediately after coming home.
- Taking off shoes before entering the home.
- Showering and washing hands before interacting with children.
- Washing clothes separately from the rest of the family's clothes.
- Making sure children under 6 and pregnant women do not eat meat harvested with lead bullets.
How do I know if my child has been exposed to lead?
Testing your child’s blood is the best way to determine whether your child has been exposed to lead. An initial screening is often done with blood collected from a capillary test (finger prick), which can be done in many doctor’s offices. If an elevated level of lead is detected, a follow-up test using a venous test (blood collected from a vein) may be needed to confirm the first blood lead level. See Virginia's blood lead testing policy below:
Children should be screened for lead at 12 and 24 months if they meet any of the following criteria. If not previously tested, children up to 72 months should be tested if they meet any of the following criteria:
-
-
- Eligible for or receiving benefits from Medicaid or WIC
- Living in or regularly visiting housing or child care facility built before 1960
- Living in or regularly visiting housing built before 1978 with peeling or chipping paint or recent (within the last 6 months), ongoing or planned renovations
- Living with or regularly visiting housing in which one or more persons have evidence of lead exposure
- Living with an adult whose job or hobby involves exposure to lead
- Living near an active lead smelter, battery recycling plant, or other industry likely to release lead
- The child’s parent or guardian requests the child’s blood be tested due to any suspected exposure
- Recent refugee, immigrant, or child adopted from outside the U.S.
-
What do I do if my child has lead in his or her blood?
The state of Virginia has guidelines for healthcare providers to follow for cases of children with blood lead levels greater than or equal to 3.5 μg lead/dL blood (μg/dL = the units for measuring lead in blood). The follow-up guidelines include interventions based on the child's blood lead level. Interventions at lower blood lead levels include education about preventing lead exposure and follow-up testing, and at higher blood lead levels may include medical intervention. There is no medical treatment for children whose blood lead levels are below 45 μg/dL, so it is important to find and safely remove the source of lead from the child's environment.
If your child has a blood lead level lower than 10 μg/dL:
-
- Learn about potential sources of lead exposure
- Safely remove possible sources of lead
- Consider all households or locations where your child spends time (including daycare or grandparents' houses)
- Lead levels will go down once the child is no longer exposed to lead
- Implement lead-safe practices in your household
- Talk to your doctor or health care provider about when to have your child's blood tested again
- Feed your child a healthy and nutritious diet (anemia increases the risk of lead poisoning)
- Increase calcium, iron, and vitamin C in their diet - this can help prevent the absorption of lead in their body
- Avoid fried and fatty foods
- Have the other children in the home under the age of 6 tested
- Someone from your local health department may call your family to provide education and information on follow-up blood lead testing
If your child has a blood lead level of 10 μg/dL or higher, a case manager from your local health department will work with you on the next steps. These next steps may include a having your home tested for sources of lead by a professional.
What are the dangers of lead exposure during pregnancy?
Lead exposure during pregnancy can be harmful for both the mother and the baby. It can cause:
- Increased risk of stillbirth and miscarriage.
- Increased risk of the baby being born preterm.
- Increased risk of the baby having a low birthweight.
- Damage to the baby’s brain, kidneys, and nervous system.
- Future developmental and learning problems in the baby.
How can I keep myself and my baby safe from the harmful effects of lead?
There are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your baby from the harmful effects of lead, such as:
- Wet-wipe and wet-mop around window sills and home entrances.
- Wash your hands often.
- Remove your shoes before entering your home.
- If a family member has a job or hobby that exposes them to lead, ask them to take off their shoes before coming inside and change their clothes immediately after coming home. Learn more about jobs or hobbies that increase risk of lead exposure here.
- Do not remodel your home, do not sand paint, and do not remove paint with a heat gun while you are pregnant.
How do I know if I am at risk of being exposed to lead?
You are at an increased risk of being exposed to lead if you:
- Live in a home built before 1978.
- Are a recent immigrant or refugee.
- Use imported pottery or ceramics to prepare and store food.
- Have old plumbing and pipes in your home.
- Live with someone who has a job or hobby that may expose them to lead, such as welding, metalwork, building renovation, stained glass, casting, or soldering.
- Developed pica (eating or putting non-food items in your mouth) during your pregnancy.
- Use traditional folk remedies or cosmetics.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and fall under any of these risk categories, ask your doctor to give you a blood lead test.
Recall Information
Please browse the product recall details in the "Recall Details" tab to the right to learn:
- What products are currently recalled
- Recommendations for parents on next steps to take if the product has been purchased or is in use
- Where and when the products were sold
- CDC recommendations for health care providers
Recall information will be maintained on this website for one year.
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Multiple brands of fruit purée pouches are being recalled because of elevated levels of lead found in certain units of the product, posing a lead poisoning hazard to children: WanaBana apple cinnamon pouches, Schnucks cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches and variety pack, and Weis cinnamon applesauce pouches (i.e., specific lots of UPC 041497216123). There have been reports of some children who consumed these products having higher blood lead levels.
Immediately stop using the recalled products and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions can contact WanaBana at support@wanabanafruits.com, or the Schnucks Customer Care team at 314-994-4400 or 1-800-264-4400, or the Weis Customer Service number at 866-999-9347. Parents and caregivers of toddlers and young children who may have been exposed to lead should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.
The CDC encourages health care providers to:
- Raise awareness among parents about these products.
- Consider testing children for lead exposure from these and other sources.
For more information please visit the FDA recall announcement.
Reference: FDA recall announcement, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This recall involves Creativity Street Assorted Craft Buttons. These products are being recalled for containing levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban. The buttons were sold in a one-pound clear plastic bag. There is a cardboard label on the bag that is yellow, orange and blue with the words “Creativity Street” and “Assorted Craft Buttons”. “PAC6121”, “MADE IN CHINA” and lot code “02129171221” are printed on the back.
Consumers should stop using the recalled buttons immediately and contact Dixon Ticonderoga to receive a pre-paid label to return the recalled buttons. When the buttons are received, consumers will receive a full refund.
The CDC encourages health care providers to:
- Raise awareness among parents about these products.
- Consider testing children for lead exposure from these and other sources.
For more information, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission recall announcement.
References: CPSC recall announcement, CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
This recall involves multiple brands of children's cups: PandaEar, Tiblue, and Klickpick. The bottom exterior of all three brands of recalled stainless-steel cups contains an accessible solder bead with levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban.
Consumers should immediately take the recalled cups away from children, stop using them and contact the retailer for a full refund. The retailers and Amazon are contacting all known purchasers. Visit the recall announcement for each product for retailer contact information.
PandaEar: The 8 oz. models of PandaEar Stainless Steel Toddler Cups sold in sets of two, in pink and gray or blue and gray colors with matching silicone straws. There are no exterior markings on the cups.
Tiblue: This recall involves 8 oz and 12 oz models of Tiblue Double-Walled Stainless Steel Children’s Cups sold in pairs. Both sizes of the recalled cups were sold in 11 different color combinations including a matching straw. "Tiblue" is printed on the front bottom of the cups.
Klickpick: This recall involves 8 oz and 12 oz Klickpick Home stainless steel children’s cups sold in sets of two and four. The sets of two 8 oz and 12 oz cups were sold in 6 different color combinations. The sets of four 8 oz and 12 oz cups were sold in 3 color combinations. The cups have a matching silicone straw, a spill-proof lid and one straw brush. "KPH" is printed on the front bottom of the cups.
The CDC encourages health care providers to:
- Raise awareness among parents about these products.
- Encourage parents to immediately stop using the recalled products and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions can email the company at compliance@dixonusa.com.
- Consider testing children for lead exposure from these and other sources.
For more information, please visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission recall announcements for each product.
References: CPSC recall announcements, CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
This recall involves the rhinestone silver tiara with red rhinestones that was sold in a package with three other tiara styles that are not included in the recall, including blue, purple, and clear rhinestones. The four tiara styles were sold and shipped together in the same cardboard packaging marked “Yaomiao”. The rhinestones embedded in the recalled tiaras contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban.
Consumers should immediately take the recalled tiaras away from children, stop using them and contact LordRoadS for a refund. LordRoadS and Amazon are contacting all known purchasers. Consumers with questions can email the company at simlordroadple@163.com, or online at their Amazon storefront on Amazon.com at https://www.amazon.com/s?me=A1ISSCMO2YO2PL&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER for more information.
The CDC encourages health care providers to:
- Raise awareness among parents about these products.
- Consider testing children for lead exposure from these and other sources.
For more information, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission recall announcement.
References: CPSC recall announcement, CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
This recall involves Sandford Family 6-Player Croquet Sets. The set includes four adult mallets; two winning posts; one red and blue children’s mallet; six balls, clips and hoops, and a storage bag. The storage bag is branded with either a Big Game Hunters logo on a blue bag or a Garden Games logo on a green bag. The paint or surface coating on the red mallet, blue mallet, red hoop, and winning post contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead paint ban, posing a lead poisoning hazard. In addition, the coating on the red and blue mallets contains levels of regulated phthalates that exceed the prohibition of specific phthalates.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled family croquet sets, and contact DOM Sports for information on how to email a photo of the recalled product being disposed of to support@domsports.com to receive the free replacement parts. DOM Sports and Amazon are contacting all known purchasers. Sold at Amazon.com from May 2015 through June 2021 for about $225.
The CDC encourages health care providers to:
- Raise awareness among parents about these products.
- Consider testing children for lead exposure from these and other sources.
For more information, please visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission recall announcement.
References: CPSC recall announcement, CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
- Raise awareness among parents about these products.
- Consider testing children for lead exposure from these and other sources.
- Raise awareness among parents about these products.
- Consider testing children for lead exposure from these and other sources.
This recall involves Creativity Street Foam Pattern Rollers with model PAC5170, which are intended for children to use when painting. The recalled foam pattern rollers contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban in the rollers’ handles. Lot codes “02142080423” and “02142230523” are included in the recall and are printed on the back of the packaging. The foam pattern rollers come in four assorted patterns, with yellow, green, blue, and red handles.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled foam pattern rollers and take them away from children. Contact Dixon Ticonderoga to receive a pre-paid label to return the recalled product. When the foam pattern rollers are received, consumers will receive a full refund. All known purchasers are being contacted directly by the firm or retailer. The products were sold online at Amazon.com, StaplesAdvantage.com, MacPhersonsArt.com, ADASales.com and Walmart.com, and at the Teacher’s Edition store in Brooklyn, New York, from September 2023 through January 2024 for about $15.
CDC encourages health care providers to:
- Raise awareness among parents about these products.
- Consider testing children for lead exposure from these and other sources.
For more information please visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission recall announcement.
References: CPSC recall announcement, CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
This recall involves the long hoe and rake in the Stanley Jr. Kids Wheelbarrow and 7-piece Garden Set, model number 1662178. The Stanley Jr. Kids Wheelbarrow and 7-piece Garden Set includes a wheelbarrow, apron, gloves, rake, hoe and hand tools. The wheelbarrow has a white label on the bottom that states “Red Toolbox” and the manufacturing date of 12.2023. The recalled long hoe and rake have a yellow-painted long wooden handle with the words “Stanley Jr.” painted in black. The hoe and rake are black-painted metal. Only the long hoe and rake in the set are included in this recall.
Consumers should stop using the long hoe and rake in the garden set immediately. Visit Red Toolbox’s recall website, https://www.recall-rtb.com/, for information on how to obtain a free replacement long hoe and rake. The consumer will need to fill out a form and upload photos of disposing these items and the white label on the bottom of the wheelbarrow showing the 12.2023 manufacturing date. Costco is contacting all known purchasers directly.
CDC encourages health care providers to:
- Raise awareness among parents about these products.
- Consider testing children for lead exposure from these and other sources.
For more information please visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission recall announcement.
References: CPSC recall announcement, CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
This recall involves Newmemo’s children’s ring sets. The rings contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban and levels of cadmium that are prohibited in children’s products by the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. The recalled sets were sold in a pack of 36 rings in multiple designs, packaged inside a pink heart-shaped display case. “Newmemo” and “Amazon FNSKU X0034COQMP” are written on a white label attached to the underside of the case.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled rings, take them away from children and contact Newmemo for a full refund. Consumers will be asked to dispose of the recalled jewelry and send a photo of the disposed product to cly2167@163.com. Newmemo and Amazon are contacting all known purchasers directly.
CDC encourages health care providers to:
- Raise awareness among parents about these products.
- Consider testing children for lead exposure from these and other sources.
For more information please visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission recall announcement.
References: CPSC recall announcement, CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program