Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and at very high levels, seizures, coma and even death. The prevention of childhood lead poisoning in the United States has been a triumph for environmental public health. However, the lead issue is only now coming into focus in many other countries.

One of the most important risk factors for lead exposure is the age of housing. Over 80 percent of all homes built before 1978 in the U.S. have lead-based paint in them. The older the house, the more likely it is to contain lead-based paint and a higher concentration of lead in the paint.

According to recent CDC estimates, 434,000 U.S. children age 1-5 have elevated blood lead levels of lead. Although the numbers are getting better, the figures show that major sources of lead exposure remain. Those sources include: deteriorated paint in older housing, and dust and soil that are contaminated with lead from old paint and from past emissions of leaded gasoline.

Children between 12 and 36 months of age often put their hands in their mouths. If there is lead in their homes, they are more likely to take it in than are older children.

For children at risk for lead exposure, a simple blood test can prevent a lifetime spoiled by the irreversible damage caused by lead poisoning.

Lead levels below 10 micrograms per decileter are not believed to cause problems.