2.3 Exposure Pathways for Lead Dust 
The main way that lead enters the body in through ingestion 3 . The most common way for a 
child to ingest lead is by putting into their mouths objects (e.g., toys or hands) that have lead- 
contaminated dust or dirt on them. The dust and dirt inside the house may contain lead from 
deteriorating lead-based paint or from lead-contaminated soil tracked in from outside by people 
or pets. In addition, when children play outdoors, lead-contaminated dirt and dust can get on 
hands, toys, and food. Putting these items in the mouth can lead to ingestion of lead. 
Young children tend to ingest more lead than adults in a given environment because of their 
normal hand-to-mouth behavior. They also take in more food and water per kilogram of body 
weight. Children are at higher risk when their nutritional needs are not being met. Calcium, 
iron, zinc, and protein deficiencies, in particular, increase lead absorption rates. 
2.-4 Resources for Additional Information 
Publications 
American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs. 1995. Treatment Guidelines for Lead 
Exposure in Children. Pediatrics. 96:155—160. Available online at <www.aap.org/poli- 
cy/00868.html>. 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2002. Managing Elevated Blood Levels Among 
Young Children, Recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead 
Poisoning Prevention. Available online at <www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/CaseManagement/caseman- 
age_main.htm>, or call (toll-free) 1-888-232-6789. 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1997. Risk Analysis To Support Standards for Lead in 
Paint, Dust, and Soil, volumes 1 & 2. EPA747-R-97-006. Available online at 
<www.epa.gov/ncepihom/ordering.htm>. 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1999. Lead in Your Home: A Parent s Reference 
Guide. EPA747-B-99-003. 
Links 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program 
<www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/lead.htm> 
Provides information about childhood lead poisoning, promotes state and local screening 
efforts, and develops improved treatments for lead exposure. 
Lead Poisoning Prevention Outreach Program 
<www.nsc.org/ehc/lead.htm> 
The Lead Poisoning Prevention Outreach Program is funded through a cooperative agreement 
between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Environmental Health Center 
(EHC). 
3 Children can also inhale lead dust from deteriorating paint, from clothing brought home by parents 
exposed to occupational lead sources, or from fumes from hobbies that use lead. In addition, children can 
breathe lead dust stirred up by conventional vacuuming or during building renovations. These instances 
are not considered significant exposure pathways, however. 
Lead Dust: Why Is It A Problem? 
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