Lead is a highly toxic element. Exposure to lead can result in damage to the brain, kidneys, blood, central nervous system and reproductive system. Children are particularly sensitive to the chronic effects of lead, with slowed cognitive development, reduced growth and other effects. Exposure to lead may come through a number of sources, including lead-based paint, petroleum, lead contaminated dust and lead contaminated residential soil. EPA seeks to reduce the public's risk from lead exposure in a number of ways. The most important of these is by providing information about the hazards of lead and ways of reducing lead risk in the home. EPA also makes grants to states and tribes for Agency-authorized Lead-Based Paint Programs. Finally, EPA continues to study the effects of lead exposure to further reduce lead hazards in the United States.

Recommended EPA Web pages

• Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil
  These pages are designed to give you access to information on all aspects of the Federal lead poisoning prevention program.
• IRIS: Lead and Compounds (inorganic) (CASRN 7439 - 92 - 1)
  Provides information on lead and compounds from the Integrated Risk Information system (IRIS).
• Lead - How Lead Affects the Way We Live and Breathe
  Today, metal processing plants are generally responsible for most of the lead in the air.