Where Does Lead Come From?

Lead-Based Paint
Homes built before 1978 tend to contain lead-based paint, which is a major hazard to children. 37 million homes contain lead-based paint—or 35% of homes in the US.
Leaded Gasoline
From 1925 to 1996, lead was added to gasoline in the United States. Exhaust from vehicles using leaded gasoline spewed 4 to 5 million tons of lead across the country, posing a serious threat to human health, especially in dense urban areas.
Lead in Water
Lead pipes have been used for water distribution in major US cities since the late 1800s. Lead still exists in service pipes, interior water pipes and tap fixtures, and can be made mobile through leaching and exacerbated by corrosion.
Lead hazards in homes include:
Lead dust from lead-based paint
Chipped paint from walls, furniture or windows
Increased lead dust, air particulates and paint chips from improper remodeling
Lead-contaminated tap water