Dust, Air, Water Sources of Lead

The dangers of lead in some toys are well-known, but there are plenty of other ways people can be exposed to the metal.

Young children are especially at risk of harm because their bodies are growing quickly. They can suffer damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and other problems.

In adults, excessive lead exposure can lead to problems in reproduction, high blood pressure, memory and concentration problems and other effects.

Levels of lead in the air have plunged since the late 1970s with the removal of lead from gasoline. Today, most lead in the air comes from industrial plants, and it's a problem chiefly in urban and …