Lead: A toxic legacy

There is no safe level of lead exposure. Lead exposure is likely to impair children's normal brain development, contribute to learning and behavioral problems, and lower IQs.

Despite decades of progress in reducing children's exposure to lead, America continues to have a toxic legacy of lead.

In 2011, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), estimated that approximately 500,000 children have elevated blood lead levels.¹ Poor and minority children remain at the greatest risk.

Read lead posts on our EDF Health blog

Paths toward reducing lead exposure

• Lead pipes: Making replacement a priority instead of a last resort »

  Events in Flint and elsewhere underscore how difficult it is to safely manage the lead pipes that still provide drinking water for millions of Americans. EDF is working to accelerate replacement of lead pipes.

• Understanding the threat: Identifying and explaining the risks of exposure »

  Faced with an overload of sometimes-conflicting information, we need clear, accurate and evidence-based information. Having that knowledge will support actions that result in real reductions in lead exposures.

Our report shows food is a surprise source of lead exposure

Sources

1. "Blood Lead Levels in Children Aged 1–5 Years — United States, 1999–2010," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention