Lead is a serious health problem. It is a "heavy metal" and can cause a lot of problems. One is brain damage. Even after a child gets treatment to remove the lead from their bodies, the brain damage cannot be reversed. Children can absorb about 4 times more lead than adults can, so they have a greater risk.

Lead can stay in our bones years after we are exposed. When a woman is pregnant, some of her bone is broken down to provide calcium to form the bones of her fetus. This means that the fetus can be contaminated with lead years after their mother was exposed. This can cause miscarriages, under weight babies, or babies with brain damage. If the pregnant woman gets plenty of calcium, her bones are less likely to be broken down, so lead poisoning is less likely.Lead can also be passed on through breast milk. Calcium supplements can also help prevent passing on lead this way.

Your local health department can let you know about lead testing that can keep all the people in your household from being exposed to lead.