{"id":353297,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:47","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/product-liability\/lead-faq.html"},"modified":"2023-10-31T17:55:16","modified_gmt":"2023-10-31T22:55:16","slug":"lead-faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/lead-faq.html","title":{"rendered":"Lead Poisoning and Exposure: FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Lead Poisoning and Exposure: FAQ<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n
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Lead exposure remains a serious health risk, especially in older homes and certain consumer products, despite federal bans on lead-based paint. Children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable, with symptoms ranging from developmental delays to organ damage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Today, most people assume they are safe from lead exposure because builders can’t use lead-based paint anymore. The truth is that many products on the market still contain lead. Some older homes also have lead and lead-based paint in them.<\/p>\n

Lead poisoning is dangerous, but you can minimize your risk by learning the signs and symptoms of lead poisoning. This critical knowledge can also help protect your family and children<\/a> from lead exposure. This article answers some frequently asked questions about lead.<\/p>\n

You can also bring your legal questions about lead poisoning to a local attorney. If you’ve developed an illness after lead exposure, a toxic tort attorney<\/a> near you can answer your questions and determine if you have a valid legal claim. If so, they will represent you throughout the process and advocate for fair compensation.<\/p>\n

What is lead?<\/h2>\n

Lead is a highly toxic metal used for years in products found in and around the home. While there are many sources of lead, the most common place you’ll find it is in lead-based paint. Contractors used lead-based paint in many older homes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In the late 1970s, the EPA learned that lead-based paint threatened human and environmental health. Therefore, the federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. Some states stopped its use even earlier.<\/p>\n

In recent years,\u00a0states like\u00a0New Jersey<\/a>\u00a0and Pennsylvania<\/a> have implemented stricter rules requiring landlords to secure lead-safe certifications. For example, New Jersey set a blood lead level target of 1.5 micrograms per decilitre for 2020. Anything higher than this would require remediation.<\/p>\n

Where can you find lead?<\/h2>\n

The older your home, the more likely it is to have lead-based paint. You may also find lead in everyday consumer products<\/a>. You’re likely to find lead in the following places:<\/p>\n