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Childhood Lead Poisoning and Prevention

What is lead?
Lead is a naturally occurring metal that can be found in all parts of our environment. Lead-contaminated dust and particles can exist in the air, the soil, the water, or the ground surfaces where people walk and play. When lead is ingested, it is toxic and harmful to humans, even in small amounts. 

Every Child. Twice by Two.
Every child should get tested twice for elevated lead levels by the age of two.
Read more about Every Child. Twice by Two. »

Information for Caregivers
The best way for caregivers to help prevent or reduce lead exposure is by adequately educating pregnant women and parents/guardians.
Learn more about advice for caregivers »

Childhood Lead Poisoning Product Recalls 
This page will be a growing resource on childhood lead poisoning recalls affecting Washington, DC. It highlights current and past product recalls involving hazardous lead exposure and timely updates on how the DC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is responding within the District.
View current product recalls »

Childhood Lead Testing Dashboard
childOur Childhood Lead Testing Dashboard tracks testing rates and blood lead levels across the District.

Lead poisoning is a serious but preventable public health issue. Washington, D.C. follows CDC guidance and prioritizes children with blood lead levels of 3.5 µg/dL or higher.  Even at this threshold, lead exposure can cause lasting harm to a child’s brain development, behavior, and ability to learn. Children under the age of six are especially vulnerable because their bodies absorb lead more easily and their brains are still developing. Routine blood lead testing is essential to catch exposure early, connect families with resources, and prevent long-term health effects.
View the Childhood Lead Testing Dashboard »  

 

Who is at Risk?

  • Children who are 6 years old and younger are at the greatest risk when exposed to lead, because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults. 
  • Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid exposure to lead to protect their children. 

Data and Reports

Lead Sources

Lead Paint

Homes built before 1978 may contain lead paint. Lead paint was banned from residential use in 1978. While not all lead-based paint is a lead exposure hazard, the condition or location of lead paint is what puts a child at risk for lead poisoning. To learn more, read the Lead Hazards fact sheet below or visit the CDC website. 
 

Drinking Water

Lead is rarely found in water before it enters your home, but the plumbing in your home could be contributing lead to the water you drink. Lead is most likely to be found in your water first thing in the morning after the water sits in the pipes all night, or any length of time where it sits more than six hours. To learn more, read the Lead in Drinking Water fact sheet below or visit the CDC website or EPA website. The only proper way to test your water is with a water test kit. Order one at DC water
 

Home Renovations

Before embarking on a DIY project in your home, it is very important to know you will be disturbing lead paint. Simple test kits are available at your local hardware store, or you can hire a licensed professional. It is important to understand that DIY does not apply to landlords; landlords who choose to do work themselves on their rental properties must, as a matter of law, comply with Federal EPA Renovate, Repair, and Paint (RRP) laws. To work on their own rental properties, landlords must be RRP certified or hire an RRP certified contractor. For more advice for DIYers, visit the DOEE website. 

 

Baby Food and Other Recalls

News about heavy metals found in baby food can leave parents with a lot of questions. The American Academy of Pediatrics has current information about the risk of toxic metal exposure to children, and how to help minimize it. Visit the HealthyChildren.org website today.
 

Soil

News about heavy metals found in baby food can leave parents with a lot of questions. The American Academy of Pediatrics has current information about the risk of toxic metal exposure to children, and how to help minimize it. Visit the HealthyChildren.org website today.
 

Jobs, Hobbies, and Other Activities

Some adults work in industries or have hobbies that expose them to lead. These adults may bring lead home with them and expose their families to lead without knowing. This dust can be tracked onto carpets, floors, furniture, and other surfaces that a child may touch. Learn more by reading the Take Home Lead fact sheet below or visiting the CDC website.
 

Toys

Some toys, especially some imported toys, antique toys, and toy jewelry may contain lead. If you have a small child in your household, make sure the child does not have access to toys, jewelry, or other items that may contain lead. Learn more by visiting the CDC website.
 

Cosmetics

Lead has been found in products typically used as cosmetics or in religious ceremonies. Children and adults have been exposed to high levels of lead by ingesting a product generically called “sindoor.” Though not intended to be food, sindoor might be used by some as a food additive. Traditionally, Hindu, and some Sikh, married women wear the red sindoor powder in the parting of their hair to indicate marital status. Products such as kohl, kajal, and surma can also contain lead. Learn more by visiting the US Food and Drug website.
 

Spices, Herbal Remedies, and Candy

Lead has been found in candies and some powders and tablets given for arthritis, infertility, upset stomach, menstrual cramps, colic, and other illnesses traditionally used by East Indian, Indian, Middle Eastern, West Asian, and Hispanic cultures. Learn more by reading this Spoonful of Lead fact sheet or visiting the CDC website.
 

Shooting Ranges

Indoor firing ranges are popular among law enforcement and recreational shooters because they offer protection from inclement weather conditions and can be operated around the clock under controlled environmental conditions. However, many firing range facilities lack environmental and occupational controls to protect the health of shooters and range personnel from effects of airborne lead, noise, and other potential exposures.
 

Families

Adults and Lead

Most adults with lead poisoning do not look or feel sick. Symptoms of lead poisoning include headaches, stomach cramps, constipation, muscle/joint pain, trouble sleeping, fatigue, irritability, and loss of sex drive. Lead exposure can cause high blood pressure and brain, kidney and reproductive health issues in adults.

 

How can lead affect my child?

Very small amounts of lead can have a serious and permanent effect on a child's growth and development. The amount of lead dust that can poison a child is so tiny, you can’t see it on your hands, toys, floors, or other surfaces. Even small amounts of lead in their body can harm your child's ability to think, learn, and focus. Lead poisoning can cause: 

  1.  Delays in speech, learning, growth and development 
  2.  Hyperactivity and behavior challenges  
  3. Lower IQ and lower achievement in school 
  4. Damage to a child’s body, including brain, kidney and nervous system 
  5. Hearing loss  
  6. Death

Healthcare Providers

DC Health DHCF Joint Letter Lead Screening and Reporting Requirements FY26

Screening Guidelines for Pediatricians: Lead screening protocols for pediatricians and healthcare providers

Lead Exposure and Healthy Homes - Talking to Caregivers: Anticipatory Guidance

Medicaid patients (DCHF)

Community Partners

doess    DOEE

waterDC Water

  Advisory Group - Dr. Phoenix and Dr. Sophia Teferi, Co-Chair

dhcfDHCF

 

Homeowners & Renters

lead paint

If your home was built before 1978 it may contain lead paint. Dust from lead paint is a major source of lead poisoning in children, but you can take steps to prevent exposure to your family. It is important to follow lead-safe guidelines when doing repairs and renovations to your home, or to hire a lead-safe certified contractor. Lead paint can flake off into soil around your house as another source of lead exposure to your family. Homebuyers and renters have the right to know whether lead hazards are present in a home before signing contracts or leases. If you are buying properties built before 1978, you should be provided with:

  • Information about identifying lead in your home Information about any known lead-based paint hazards A 10-day period to conduct a paint inspection or risk assessment for lead-based paint hazards

If you have concerns, then talk to your landlord (or the seller) to get a lead inspection from a certified inspector before signing your lease. For more information, visit Questions and Answers for Homeowners and Renters about Understanding Lead Inspections, Risk Assessments and Abatements

 

Information for Homebuyers and Sellers

As owners, landlords, agents, and managers of rental property, you play an important role in protecting the health of your tenants and their children. Buildings built before 1978 are much more likely to have lead-based paint. Federal law requires you to provide certain important information about lead paint before a prospective renter is obligating under lease to rent from you. Learn more at Real Estate Disclosures About Lead

 

Resources to Maintain a Lead-Safe, Healthy, and Energy-Efficient Home Is Your Home Lead-Safe?

The District of Columbia’s Lead-Hazard Prevention and Elimination Act requires property owners to ensure their pre-1978 residential property has no lead-based paint hazards. By law, nonintact paint in a pre-1978 property is a presumed lead-based paint hazard unless the owner has documentation proving the paint is not lead-based. Non-intact paint is also a housing code violation. The District requires owners to disclose lead hazards to potential renters and home buyers. A permit from the District’s Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) also may be required before renovating or abating a pre-1978 property. 

 

Additional Resources:

  1. Healthy Housing Program
  2. Where and how to get lead testing services for my home (Contractors, Tenants, Property Owners)   
  3. Lead and Drinking water information

 

Lead Testing & Support Services

  1. Where and how to get lead testing services for my home (Contractors, Tenants, Property Owners)
  2. Healthy Housing Program
  3. Lead and Drinking water information in child development centers
    iv.
  4. Financial Services for Lead Prevention
    v. LPRAP information/ links
    vi. DC Water financial help
  5. WIC:
  6. Medicaid Outreach: 
  7. Twice By 2
  8. Submit a Complaint about Lead Hazards : Online form for reporting lead hazards in rental properties, workplaces, and public areas.
  9. Paragraph (Health Connect) https://www.dchealthcheck.net/

FAQ

 
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