The CDC reduced the blood lead reference value from 5 milligrams per deciliter of blood to 3.5.
No measurable blood lead level is considered safe, Cioffi told Verywell.
Some researchers have long advocated for the figure to be lowered.
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Along with better testing, researchers have learned that lead exposure can accumulate over time.
How Does Lead Exposure Affect Health?
It can also affect childrens brain development, leading to lower IQ or behavioral changes like reduced attention span.
Any lead ingested goes throughout the bloodstream, Cioffi said.
It affects pretty much all the major organs."
They tend to bite on them or have more oral exposure than an adult would have.
A fetus inside a pregnant person can be among the most vulnerable to lead exposure, she added.
How Are Children Exposed to Lead?
Did You Know?
Natural lead levels in soil range from 0.005% to 0.04%.
More recently, there’s less of that lead paint construction site issue.
People tend to live in newer homes, with municipal efforts to reduce the lead containing materials.
People like to go to shooting ranges and practice shooting gunsand bullets have lead, Alexander said.
Schools can also be a source of lead exposure.
How Can You Keep Kids Away From Lead?
Keeping children safe from lead exposure requires using some basic precautions on a consistent basis, Cioffi suggested.
But really, frequent hand washing can be very important.
But in order for prevention to take place, people need to first be aware of the problem.
Proactively thinking about lead exposure may also reduce a childs risk, Alexander added.
Caldwell KL, Cheng PY, Jarrett JM, et al.Measurement challenges at low blood lead levels.Pediatrics.
140(2):e20170272.
The World Health Organization.Lead Poisoning.
United States Environmental Protection Agency.Learn About Lead.
United States Environmental Protection Agency.Protect Your Family From Sources of Lead.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lead in Drinking Water.
