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Reducing Exposure to Lead
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Lead is a highly toxic metal that occurs naturally in the earth's crust and has many industrial uses.
On this page:
What are the Health Effects of Lead?
Lead can cause many harmful health effects, especially to the nervous system, blood system and kidneys.
Exposure to even low levels of lead can cause learning disabilities and other harmful effects on children's development. Pregnant women must also be careful, as lead can pass through the placenta.
Lead in Paint
If your home was built before 1960, lead-based paint was probably used both inside and outside. For homes built between 1960 and 1990, small amounts of lead may be in some of the paint used.
How Do I Know if I Have a Problem?
If you think the paint in your home may contain lead, you can have it tested.
- A certified inspector can measure paint lead levels in your home or you can mail paint chip samples to a testing laboratory.
- To find an inspector or laboratory in your area, contact the
Standards Council of Canada or the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation, search online or check your local telephone directory for Laboratories -- Analytical & Testing.
What Can I Do?
- If the lead-based paint is in good condition and is not on a surface that a child might chew, the risk of exposure is minimal. It's best to leave it alone or paint over it.
- If the lead-based paint is cracking, chipping, flaking or peeling or if it is on a surface that a child might chew, here is how you can remove the paint:
- Do not use sanders, heat guns or blowlamps to remove paint in older homes. This can create dust and fumes that contain lead.
- Use a chemical paint stripper, preferably one with a paste that can be applied with a brush.
- Chemical strippers contain potentially harmful substances themselves, so use them carefully. Keep children and pregnant women away from the work area and always wear goggles, gloves and a good-quality breathing mask.
- Consult Health Canada's booklet Lead in Your Home (PDF Version - 648 K) before starting any renovation project in an older home.
Read More About Lead in Paint
Lead in Plumbing
Plumbing systems in homes built before 1975 may have lead pipes (also called lead service lines) or have solder or other plumbing parts that contain lead. This lead can leach into water sitting in pipes.
How Do I Know if I Have a Problem?
You can check with your municipality or water utility to see if there are lead service lines in your area. A plumber can identify whether your service line (supply pipe) is made of lead. You can also look at the pipe entering your home, and if it is soft or easily dented when scraped with a knife, or if it is greyish-black, it is likely made of lead or contains lead.
If there are lead service lines or other lead-based materials in your plumbing system, you can look into having your tap water tested for lead content. Some municipalities have an established sampling program, while others may sample and test it if you ask them. In some cases, you may have to arrange for your own sampling and analysis by an accredited laboratory.
To find a laboratory in your area, contact the Standards Council of Canada or the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation, search online or check your local telephone directory for Laboratories -- Analytical & Testing.
What Can I Do?
- Always let tap water run until it is cold before using it for drinking, cooking and especially for making baby formula. This is particularly important when water has been sitting in the pipes for long periods of time, such as first thing in the morning.
- Don't use water from the hot water tap for cooking or drinking.
- Contact your local Public Health Department if you're concerned about elevated lead levels in your home's drinking water.
Lead in Your Home (PDF Version - 648 K). 