Lead poisoning

Lead poisoning happens when you are exposed to lead and it gets into your body. That can happen if you swallow it or breathe it in. Small amounts can build up over time and cause health problems. Larger amounts taken in over a short period can be harmful too, though this is less common.

Children are particularly vulnerable, because their bodies absorb more lead than adults' bodies do. Lead can affect how a child grows and develops, even when there are no obvious symptoms.

Exposure to lead can also leave you with a higher than normal level of lead in your blood.

Adults or children with raised blood lead levels can sometimes have no obvious symptoms. When symptoms do show up in young children, they can include:

• irritability or tiredness
• loss of appetite or weight loss
• abdominal (stomach) pain
• vomiting
• constipation
• hearing problems
• developmental delay or learning difficulties

When adults have symptoms, they can include:

• high blood pressure
• abdominal (stomach) pain
• constipation
• joint or muscle pain
• pain, numbness or tingling in hands or feet
• headaches
• memory problems
• problems with pregnancy, like miscarriage or premature birth

Having these symptoms doesn't always mean you have lead poisoning. But if you or your children have any of them, contact your doctor.

Tell your doctor if you think your property might have lead pipes, or if you're worried about lead exposure from any other source.

Lead isn't commonly used in modern products in the UK. But you can still be exposed to it.

Lead poisoning can follow common exposures to lead, including:

• putting non-food items containing lead into the mouth
• soil, dust or flaking paint
• older or imported toys and items that don't meet safety standards
• food, spices or traditional medicines brought from abroad
• cooking equipment that may contain lead

If you're living in or visiting an older home, you can be exposed to lead in a few ways:

• Old paint that may contain lead. Chipped paint and decorating work can release old paint or paint dust into the home, and a child could then get it in their mouth or breathe it in.
• Lead pipes or lead solder. These may still be present in older homes, and they could affect the drinking water.

People can carry lead dust or fumes into the home from many different activities, including:

• construction, plumbing or roofing
• battery recycling
• shooting
• making fishing weights or stained glass

Children with pica (an eating disorder where someone eats non-food items) are at higher risk of lead exposure.

If you're worried about your child's exposure to lead, speak to your doctor.

For more information on pica, advice is available from:

• The Challenging Behaviour Foundation
• National Autistic Society

If a blood test shows your child has a raised level of lead, your doctor or another health professional will explain:

• why the test was carried out
• what the result means
• any health concerns and what happens next

Public health professionals may also contact you to help work out how your child may have been exposed to lead.

There are a few things you can do to cut down your child's exposure to lead. Stopping unsafe behaviours and helping children pick up safer habits can both make a difference.

• gently stop your child from putting non-food items (like soil or paint) in their mouth
• discourage your child from biting, picking or chewing painted surfaces
• keep unsafe items out of your child's reach and sight
• keep floors and play areas clear
• teach your child the difference between food and non-food
• praise and reward safe behaviour
• offer safe alternatives like chew or sensory toys
• make these safe alternatives easy to get to
• wash your child's hands regularly with soap and water
• give your child regular meals and snacks

There are a few steps you can take at home to reduce lead exposure and protect your family's health.

Check that toys meet safety standards by looking for the UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) and CE safety marks.

To prevent lead getting into your drinking water, use only cold tap water for drinking, cooking and making infant formula.

If your home may have older plumbing, check the pipes under the sink or near the point where water enters the house. Lead pipes are:

• dull grey
• soft (you can scratch them to show shiny metal underneath)
• made with rounded joints

If you think you have lead pipes, contact Scottish Water online or by calling 0800 077 8778. They'll help you arrange water testing, which is usually free unless you have a private water supply.

Most homes have water that meets the legal requirements for lead. But if higher levels of lead are found:

• Scottish Water will contact you
• steps will be taken to reduce exposure
• you may be advised not to drink tap water for a time

If lead pipes are found, the property owner is responsible for replacing the pipework within the property boundary.

To prevent lead exposure through foods, spices and medicines:

• only buy from reputable suppliers
• be cautious with imported products that may not meet the required standards

If you're painting or decorating an older home with lead in the walls, take extra care, especially in homes built before the 1960s:

• take extra care in homes built before the 1960s
• old paint may contain lead beneath newer layers
• avoid sanding or removing paint yourself
• cover damaged paint with plastic or something similar
• use a qualified professional for testing and removal and, until that happens, keep children away from affected areas

If you work with lead or use it in your hobbies, there are a few things you should do to avoid lead poisoning:

• follow the health and safety advice you are given
• don't bring dust or contaminated clothing into your home
• wash your hands and change your clothes before you have contact with other people