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All About Lead

Photo of child looking over window sill

What is lead?

Lead is a heavy, low melting, bluish-gray metal that occurs naturally in the Earth's crust. However, it is rarely found naturally as a metal. It is usually found combined with two or more other elements to form lead compounds.

Over the years, lead has been mixed with gasoline and with paint, used as solder for cans and for copper pipes, as piping for drinking water, blended with vinyl and with brass, employed as protective shielding against radiation and in the manufacture of batteries and computer components.

Why is lead a problem?

For thousands of years, lead has proven to be a very useful substance. For nearly as long, we have also known that exposure to lead causes serious adverse health effects. Lead turns up in our yards, shows up in our homes, and ends up in our landfills. It is a powerful neurotoxin, which means exposure can damage the brain. It can also injure other soft tissues and organs, can interfere with the formation of blood, and exposure to enough lead can even kill. Both children and adults are vulnerable to lead’s health effects.

- Lead and Your Health

What is the District Government doing about it?

What can I do about it?

  • Use a filter to remove lead from water you use for drinking or cooking.
  • Use lead-safe work practices [PDF] (English and Español) when disturbing paint during home repair or maintenance.
  • Get your soil tested if you have a home vegetable garden.
  • Dispose of old electronics properly (Department of Public Works).

Where can I get more information?

 

Contact TTY: 
711
Related Content: 
Lead Pipe Replacement and Safer Drinking Water
Lead Related Regulatory and Legislative Affairs
EPA - Renovate, Repair, and Painting Rule