Where lead is found
Lead can be found in all parts of our environment; the air, the soil, the water, and even inside our homes. Much of our exposure comes from human activities; including the use of fossil fuels, including past use of leaded gasoline, some types of industrial facilities, and past use of lead-based paint in homes. Throughout the century we have cut back on the use of lead, however, it is still commonly found in many areas, especially in urban environments. Lead is found in a surprising amount of everyday items, the most surprising to me being lipstick. 33% of lipstick companies report unsafe levels of lead, the color red is the worst in most cases.
The following is a list of everyday items that could contain traces of lead.
In equally common cases, people encounter lead exposure from building materials, such as, lead pipes, which can affect your water and ventilation.
In conclusion, I would like to say that it would not be wise to be frightened by these issues, most of them are being resolved by replacing the items that contain lead with safer non-lead items. For example, as of 1978, paint is no longer made with any amount of lead, also pipes are no longer made with lead (as well as copper which is also harmful). Lead in pencils are also being replaced with graphite.
This being said, there are also a large amount of items that do still contain lead due to either, the lack of replacements for lead, or the lack of knowledge of traces of lead. As said earlier, lipsticks can contain a harmful amount of lead, which very few people know about. Luckily, there is a simple solution to this ongoing problem. The solution is to boost funding and increase awareness about the severity of the health problems lead can cause, as well as informing people on what may contain lead and how to stay healthy after learning what could contain lead.
The following is a list of everyday items that could contain traces of lead.
- paints, pigments, and other artists’ supplies
- protective/decorative coatings on a wide variety of products
- jewelry
- fastenings and trim on clothing
- fishing sinkers and jigs
- stained glass windows and doors
- batteries
- traditional cosmetics
- pencils
In equally common cases, people encounter lead exposure from building materials, such as, lead pipes, which can affect your water and ventilation.
In conclusion, I would like to say that it would not be wise to be frightened by these issues, most of them are being resolved by replacing the items that contain lead with safer non-lead items. For example, as of 1978, paint is no longer made with any amount of lead, also pipes are no longer made with lead (as well as copper which is also harmful). Lead in pencils are also being replaced with graphite.
This being said, there are also a large amount of items that do still contain lead due to either, the lack of replacements for lead, or the lack of knowledge of traces of lead. As said earlier, lipsticks can contain a harmful amount of lead, which very few people know about. Luckily, there is a simple solution to this ongoing problem. The solution is to boost funding and increase awareness about the severity of the health problems lead can cause, as well as informing people on what may contain lead and how to stay healthy after learning what could contain lead.
Below is a diagram of blood lead levels in Canada, this diagram is reassuring but is outdated. Nevertheless, it does a good job at showing the changes we are making to items containing lead and the cause and effect of removing lead from common items.