Lead poisoning is caused by swallowing or breathing lead. Children under the age of six-years-old are more at risk. Lead poisoning can also harm unborn babies, so pregnant women should also take precautions.

Lead can cause learning and behavior problems because lead harms the brain and nervous system. Some of the effects of lead poisoning may never go away.

Lead in a child’s body can:

• Slow down growth and development
• Damage hearing and speech
• Make it hard for children to pay attention and learn