In children the risks can be great: and the younger the child the greater the risk. In children lead mainly causes injury to the brain. It can reduce intelligence (IQ), increase the likelihood of behavioral problems (examples: school problems and delinquency) and increase the likelihood of lifelong health problems such as high blood pressure.

The most common source of lead poisonings is from paint chips in homes built before the mid 1970's. Up until then lead based paints were used. Keep children away from peeling or chipping lead paint and reachable surfaces painted with lead­based paint. Paint chips on walls; furniture or acwindowsills are attractive to curious young children who like to put everything in their mouths. These paint chips have a sweet taste, so young children are more likely to eat them.

*  Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born. Even children that seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.
*  People can get lead in their bodies by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by eating soil or paint chips with lead in them.
*  Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger to your family.  It is important to have someone experienced handle it.
*  Lead paint was banned in the United States in residential paint in 1978.
*  75% of U.S. housing contains lead-based paint.
*  Lead Poisoning is a very serious problem.
*  Most lead poisoning happens in the home
*  Lead poisoning affects both children AND adults
*  The primary cause of lead poisoning is tiny particles of lead dust which are sent airborne during remodeling, repair or renovation
*  Lead dust is so small that it passes right through most masks and filters

[sources: us-epa, us-hud, cdc]