Lead is a naturally occurring element that is toxic to humans and animals. Unlike minerals and vitamins, lead serves no nutritional purpose in our bodies. Lead can be found in the air, food, water, and soil. Lead can also be found in many consumer products, such as glassware, jewelry, toys and cosmetics.

Lead poisoning is a condition that affects the entire body. Lead can be absorbed into your body through ingestion (swallowing) or inhalation (breathing). An elevated blood lead level shows that lead is building up faster than it can be eliminated from the body.  Lead poisoning affects your brain and nervous system, as well as other major organs.

Lead poisoning often has no symptoms – even people who appear healthy can have lead poisoning. The symptoms of lead poisoning are often mistaken for other conditions or illnesses. Children and adults can have different symptoms when it comes to lead poisoning

Children

• Irritability 
• Belly pain
• Constipation
• Hearing loss
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Vomiting
• Developmental delays

Adults 

• Fatigue 
• Abdominal pain 
• Constipation 
• High blood pressure 
• Anemia
• Loss of appetite 
• Weight loss 
• Mood disorders
• Trouble concentrating/memory problems

Extreme Cases

Extreme cases of lead poisoning can result in: 

• Convulsions
• Coma

Lead dust is the most common source of lead exposure. Lead can also be found in air, water, and soil. Lead is also found in products like cosmetics, toys, and jewelry. Hobbies, such as making pottery, shooting guns, reloading bullets, or refinishing furniture, also cause exposure to lead. People exposed to lead at work may also bring lead home on their clothes, shoes, hair and skin.

Preventing lead exposure is the only way to stop lead poisoning before it happens. Knowing how to protect yourself, your children, and your family is essential. Learn more on how to protect yourself on our Lead Prevention page and our Educational Materials page.

If your child’s first lead test showed that there was lead present, their healthcare provider will discuss next steps. These steps may include:

• information on where lead may be present in the home or places the child visits
• education on how to reduce exposure to lead
• additional testing to confirm an initial test, or to schedule follow-up testing
• advice on nutrition for limiting lead absorption

Some blood lead levels are high enough that additional steps will be added. These may include:

• additional blood tests for lead and nutritional status
• a complete physical exam 
• monitoring for developmental problems
• an Environmental Lead Investigation

Very high levels may require immediate referral to a hospital.

If your child’s lead level is 20 micrograms per deciliter or higher, your child’s healthcare provider will have requested an Environmental Lead Investigation. This is a voluntary process that will determine where and how your child has been exposed to lead. 

The Risk Assessor (RI) will contact you by phone and begin the Elevated Blood Level Investigation Questionnaire. They will ask questions about your home and other places where your child spends a lot of time. They will ask questions about your child’s activities and the jobs or hobbies of people who live in the home. They will also ask about what your child eats, what toys they play with and what medicines they take. 

The RI will schedule a time to visit your home to look at it inside and out, checking paint, soil, plumbing, and other characteristics that might indicate lead exposure. The RI will also take samples of materials such as paint, certain foods, dust, and soil to be tested for lead at your home using an X-Ray fluorescence analyzer, or in the lab. Before leaving, they will provide educational materials on limiting lead exposure.

Results of the Environmental Lead Investigation will be sent to you, your child’s healthcare provider, and landlord if applicable. Depending on the source of lead exposure, you will receive additional information about reducing future exposure, recommendations for additional medical testing, or connecting with community resources such as housing assistance or lead remediation.

Call TXCLPPP or the Texas ABLES program at (800) 588–1248.

For information on how you can prevent or reduce lead exposure, visit the CDC's Lead Prevention Tips Website.

Visit the Educational Materials page for additional information on how to prevent lead exposure and for eating well to limit lead absorption. If you have specific questions about your child’s health, contact their healthcare provider.