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Outdoor Air:
Lead
There is much less lead in the outdoor air than there was 15-20 years ago because of
federal laws requiring the use of unleaded gasoline. Airborne lead levels are
still higher near freeways, however, from earlier contamination. Other sources
of airborne lead include outdoor sanding or sandblasting of lead-based paint,
emissions from battery recycling plants
 and smelter operations, and fireworks.
Because the Houston area generally has very low levels of lead in outdoor air,
the region is no longer required to monitor for lead in the outdoor air.
Note that,
despite the low levels of lead in the air, lead poisoning regularly occurs in the Houston-area.
Most current lead exposure is associated with:
- sites with a lot of lead in
the soil, perhaps from an old bus depot;
- sanding or sand-blasting old
lead-based paint;
- children eating sweet lead-based paint chips;
- children ingesting
lead-paint dust from putting their dusty hands or objects into their mouth;
- dust
from certain types of vinyl miniblinds; and
- drinking acidic liquids, such as
orange juice, from pottery (often from Mexico) with a lead-based glaze.
Why is lead bad?
Fetal or early childhood exposure to lead can seriously disrupt brain
development, leading to decreased IQ and behavioral problems. Lead can
also cause cognitive and memory problems in adults.
Lead can cause:
- abnormal neural development;
- behavior problems;
- decreased IQ; and
- damage to the kidney and immune system.
See also Workplace Hazards and area lead-abatement
programs under Resources: Exposure Testing.
Phase 1 of the
Houston
Environmental Foresight program rated lead in homes and soil as of "high"
concern.
BACK TO OUTDOOR AIR
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