SOURCES OF LEAD EXPOSURE

Lead exposure remains a significant public health issue, affecting millions of people worldwide, especially young children. Understanding the common sources of lead exposure can help individuals and communities take proactive measures to minimize risk and protect their health.

For more information and resources on lead exposure prevention, visit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website.

In this section, you will find sources of lead exposure that have been flagged with government warnings.

Lead Poisoning in Baby Food

A congressional investigation recently found out that many popular baby food brands, such as Nurture, Beech-Nut, Hain and Gerber have products containing dangerously high levels of poisonous heavy metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium or mercury which can cause severe health problems for infants leading to life-long developmental damage. The FDA has proposed draft guidance on setting limits for this toxic substance found in some foods made specifically for babies but there needs to be more done by them towards ensuring safety as a whole.Parents should try and limit their child’s exposure by selecting foods with lesser amounts of it and following proper preparation methods. 

Read more about Lead Poisoning in Baby Food.

Lead Poisoning in Children’s Clothing

In 2007, clothing items were recalled by CPSC for having lead paint on snaps including:

• Heavyweight Outerwear Jackets: Carter’s jackets that had lead in the snap closures.
• Starting Out Shirt and Overalls: Shirts and overalls with snaps coated with lead paint.

Read more about Lead Poisoning in Children’s Clothing.

Lead Poisoning in Children’s Jewelry

Various children’s jewelry items have been recalled by CPSC in 2007 because they contain high amounts of lead, including:

• Essentials for Kids Jewelry Sets – necklaces, bracelets and earrings
• Butterfly Necklaces – multi-colored butterfly pendants
• Children’s Metal Jewelry – sold at Limited Too and Justice retail stores
• Children’s Turquoise Rings – sold in the Baltimore area
• Children’s Necklaces, Bracelets, and Rings Imported by Spandrel Sales and Marketing Inc.
• Children’s Rings with Dice or Horseshoes (previously recalled but placed back into circulation)
• Children’s Religious Fish Necklaces Sold by Oriental Trading Company Inc.
• Children’s Charm Bracelets and “Sportswear” Necklaces Imported by Cardinal Distributing Co.
• Accessories Silver Stud Earring Sets Sold at Kmart
• Metal Key Chains Sold at Dollar General stores
• Children’s “Groovy Grabber” Bracelets Metallic bands with lead paint on them
• Children’s Mood Necklaces Multi-colored pendants
• “Claudia Jublot” Children’s Rings Silver rings with red paint on them
• Children’s “Kidsite” Necklace and Earring Sets Sold at Kmart stores
• Children’s “Ultra Gear” Bracelets: Chain bands that are colored silver.
• Children’s “Rachael Rose Kidz” Rings: Could only be found at Family Dollar.

Read more about Lead Poisoning in Children’s Jewelry.

Lead Poisoning in Children’s Toys

Many toys were recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) after it was found that they contained excessive amounts of lead paint which is harmful if swallowed or inhaled by kids. The most significant ones among these recalls made in 2007 are as follows:

• Soldier Bear Brand Toy Sets: action figures, vehicles and animals with high levels of lead.
• Thomas & Friends™ Wooden Railway Toys: various wooden train set components.
• Eli’s Small Drums and Liberty’s Large Drums: red paint with high levels of lead.
• Invincibles Transport Converters Toy Sets: action figures with lead paint.
• Budding Gardener Complete Gardening Set: gardening gloves with lead painted logos.
• Anima – Bamboo Collection Games: bamboo toys possibly containing lead paint.
• Stuffed Fun Balls: stuffed balls with lead paint.
• “Elite Operations” Toy Sets: military-style play sets sold at Toys “R” Us.
• Elite 5-in-1 Easels: two-sided easels with lead paint on them.

Read more about Lead Poisoning in Children’s Toys.

Lead Poisoning News

• Federal Court Awards $626 Million to Victims of the Flint Lead Water Crisis
• Levy Konigsberg Sues the City of Jackson on Behalf of 600 Lead-Poisoned Children
• Levy Konigsberg Announces $600 Million Settlement for Victims of Flint Water Crisis
• Michigan Federal Court Rules EPA Must Defend Lawsuit in the Flint Water Crisis
• Lead-Contaminated Dust Poses Major Health Hazard to New York Tenants
• Federal Judge Allows Class Action to Proceed Against Embattled Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York City Housing Authority
• Lead Poisoning Victim to Sue Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority
• Ninth Circuit Court Demands EPA Issue Updated Rules on Lead Poisoning
• Alexander County Housing Authority Failed to Protect Residents from Lead Poisoning
• Flint Lawyers Take on NYCHA for Lead Paint Violations
• Areas of Portland, Oregon Found With High Levels of Lead in Drinking Water
• One-Third of High Risk Children Untested for Lead Poisoning in California
• Levy Konigsberg Appointed Lead Counsel in Flint Water Litigation
• LK Attorney Comments on Lead Crisis in East Chicago, Indiana
• Levy Konigsberg Wins Legal Ruling in Flint Lead Poisoning Cases
• LK Files Third Wave of Lawsuits in Flint Michigan, Case Filings Now Total 75 Lead-Poisoned Children
• Levy Konigsberg Files Flint Lawsuits for More Than 20 Lead-Poisoned Children
• Levy Konigsberg Lead Poisoning Attorney Attends Flint, Michigan Town Hall
• Levy Konigsberg Attorney Comments on Flint Michigan Water Crisis Involving Lead
• Levy Konigsberg LLP Obtains Two Separate Lead Poisoning Awards in New Jersey