Effects of Lead on Human Health : Part 2

by Health Canada

(Page 2 of 2)

Paint

Most indoor and outdoor paints produced before 1950 contained substantial amounts of lead. If you strip or sand old paint that contains lead, you could breathe in lead particles. Since 1976, the amount of lead in interior paint has been limited by law. Although the lead content of exterior paint is not regulated, Canadian paint manufacturers have voluntarily ensured that no lead is intentionally added. Exterior paint with lead carries a warning label.

Other Sources of Lead

Inexpensive, horizontal PVC (plastic) mini-blinds made in Asia or Mexico may contain lead. Health Canada recommends that if you have children 6 years of age or under, you should remove these blinds from your home. They should also be removed from schools and child care centres as lead can cause neurological damage in young children.

Workers in smelters, refineries and other industries may be exposed to high levels of lead. Lead dust may be breathed in and can also cling to skin, hair, clothing and vehicles, and be carried to the home, exposing workers' families. Most provincial governments require that lead-exposed workers be monitored for blood lead levels.

Lead can enter food, especially acidic food such as fruit juice, from lead-based glazes on glassware and ceramics. Canadian regulations limit lead content in glazes on glassware and ceramics used in preparing, serving, or storing food. However, pottery or glassware from abroad may contain enough lead to be a hazard to your health.

Leaded crystal is widely used for serving beverages. When the crystal comes in contact with beverages, especially acidic beverages such as port, wine, fruit juices and soft drinks, some lead dissolves into the liquid. The amount of lead that dissolves depends on the lead content of the crystal, the type of beverage and the length of time they are in contact with each other. Do not serve pregnant women or children drinks in crystal glasses.

Lead fumes or particles can be released when waste oil, coloured newsprint, battery casings or lead-painted wood is burned. Candles that contain lead in their wicks may also release harmful levels of lead when burned. Using lead solder in a hobby, such as in making stained glass, lead shot or lead fishing weights, may expose you or your family to harmful lead vapours.

Government of Canada's Role

The Government of Canada continues to work to reduce the risks of lead exposure to Canadians from all sources. Health Canada is monitoring the results of several large studies in the United States and Europe on the impact of lead on young children.

In Canada, drinking water quality is a responsibility shared among various levels of government. Health Canada works closely with the provinces and territories, through the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water, to establish the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. Each jurisdiction is responsible for setting their own enforceable guidelines or regulations, based on the Canadian guidelines. The Guidelines limit the lead content of drinking water to a Maximum Acceptable Concentration of 0.010 milligrams per litre of water.

Health Canada is also developing a Lead Risk Reduction Strategy to control lead levels in consumer products that children may be exposed to. It proposes to regulate, under the Hazardous Products Act, the lead content of five categories of consumer products that children are likely to come into contact with, such as:

Products likely to be ingested in significant quantities (e.g., children's crayons and chalk)

Products intended to be or likely to be placed in or near the mouth (e.g., pacifiers, baby bottle nipples, crib toys, mouthpieces of musical instruments)

Children's equipment, furniture, toys and other items intended for use by a child in learning or play (e.g., strollers, high chairs)

Products intended for use in preparing, serving, or storing food or beverages (e.g., cutlery, tableware, cooking utensils)

Consumer products intended to be or likely to be melted or burned in enclosed spaces (e.g., candles, fuel for indoor lanterns)

The strategy will serve as the foundation for new lead regulations under the Hazardous Products Act.

About the Author

www.hc-sc.gc.ca
Health Canada is the Federal department responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health, while respecting individual choices and circumstances.