Lead poisoning in children happens when a child is exposed to lead—usually by swallowing or breathing in tiny amounts of lead from old paint, dust, soil, water, or certain household items. Once lead enters the body, it builds up over time and can interfere with brain development, learning, behavior, and overall growth.

Most children with lead poisoning don’t show obvious symptoms, but when symptoms do appear, they can include irritability, trouble paying attention, learning or behavior problems, tiredness, loss of appetite, stomach pain, vomiting, constipation, headaches, or slowed growth. Severe exposure—though less common—can cause seizures, coma, or even death. Since these symptoms are vague and can look like many other childhood illnesses, a blood test is the only reliable way to know if a child has lead poisoning.

The only way to know if your child has lead poisoning is through a blood test. Most children with elevated lead levels don’t look or act sick, and their symptoms—if any—can be easily mistaken for common childhood issues. If you live in or frequently visit a home built before 1978, have recent renovations, or think your child may have been exposed to lead from paint, dust, soil, water, or certain products, talk to your healthcare provider about getting a lead test.

It is recommended to test at ages 1 and 2.

If your child has been found to have an elevated blood lead level, they should be retested every 3 months until their tests show that they are below the national threshold of 3.5 µg/dL. It’s important to note: this value is not a “safe threshold” or a level above which harm starts. The CDC makes clear there is no safe level of lead in blood.

There is no safe amount of lead in a child’s body. The CDC uses a Blood Lead Reference Value (BLRV) of 3.5 µg/dL to identify children with higher-than-typical levels who need follow-up. However, health effects can occur even below this number. Levels 5–14 µg/dL may affect learning and behavior, 15–44 µg/dL can cause more significant health problems, and 45 µg/dL or higher is considered severe and may require urgent medical treatment, including medication to help remove lead from the body.

Yes. Lead poisoning can be treated, but the approach depends on how high the blood lead level is. For most children, treatment focuses on removing the source of lead, improving nutrition (especially iron, calcium, and vitamin C), and monitoring levels over time. When blood lead levels are very high—typically 45 µg/dL or higher—doctors may use chelation therapy, a medication that helps remove lead from the body. While treatment can lower lead levels, it cannot fully reverse damage already done, which is why early detection and preventing exposure are critical.

Removing lead from your home must be done carefully to avoid creating more hazardous dust. Here are the safest approaches:

• Hire a certified lead professional for major work. If your home was built before 1978, only EPA-certified contractors should handle lead paint removal, repairs, or renovations.

• Use lead-safe renovation practices. If you must do minor work yourself, seal off the area, use plastic sheeting, mist surfaces before scraping, and clean thoroughly afterward.

  • Keeping Your Renovations Lead-safe (English)

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• Keep dust down. Regularly wet-wipe floors, windowsills, and surfaces with a damp cloth or mop. Avoid dry sweeping or vacuuming with a regular vacuum, which can spread lead dust.

• Fix peeling or chipping paint right away. Cover it with duct tape or contact paper until a professional can repair it using lead-safe methods.

• Prevent track-in from soil. Keep shoes at the door and wash hands often, especially after outdoor play.

• Flush pipes before using water for drinking or cooking if you suspect lead plumbing.

For significant lead hazards, professional remediation is the safest and most reliable option.