Lead Exposure Sources

Despite the hazards associated with the production and use of lead products, global production of refined lead continues to grow. Lead has been used in millions of products but the most common sources of lead exposure include:

  • Lead Batteries

  • Lead Paint

  • Lead in Toys and Jewelry

  • Lead in Plastics

  • Lead in Pottery and Cookware

  • Lead in Ammunition

Lead Batteries

Lead batteries used in almost every vehicle and for backup power supplies are the largest use of lead. Approximately 90 percent of global lead production goes into making batteries.  As vehicle sales continue to grow around the world the consumption of lead for this purpose continues to grow.  Lead batteries are also in demand for storing solar and wind power.

Lead Paint

People are exposed to lead in paint from various routes. Buildings painted with lead paint either on the interior or exterior have higher concentrations of lead in the dust. Children are most susceptible to exposure as they have frequent hand-to-mouth contact and play close to the ground where paint dust collects. Homes with lead paint on the exterior often have excessive lead levels in soil found adjacent to the structure from weathering and the dust generated from previous painting projects. This lead is then tracked into the home and contributes to the dust contamination. 

Children may also be exposed to lead from paint on toys, furniture, playground equipment, and other products. Workers are exposed from manufacturing lead paint, products made with lead paint, and more commonly from disturbing lead paint during construction and painting activities.

Even if lead is eliminated from all new paint, millions of homes, schools and industrial facilities will still contain lead hazards for centuries. Dust released from friction and impact surfaces and contaminated soil will persist in the environment for years. Even homes with lead paint applied only on exterior surfaces contribute to soil and interior dust lead contamination.

Is lead still used in paints?

While many countries have implemented regulatory restrictions on the use of lead in paint particularly for residential applications, only a small number of countries restrict all uses of lead paint.  In most countries, much of the new paint currently sold contains high levels of lead. 

OK International published one of the first studies along with our Indian partners at Toxics Link in 2008 on lead levels in paints in India and we worked with the largest companies there to encourage them to reformulate their paint products. Unfortunately, there are still hundreds of smaller producers in India that have not removed lead additives from their products. Despite some success, studies examining lead concentrations in new paints in over 50 countries demonstrate that most of the paints tested exceed the acceptable standard of 90 ppm lead. 

Where is lead paint used?

Lead paint is used in hundreds of applications including coatings for homes, schools, hospitals, industrial buildings and even on products like cars and metal furniture. It is often applied to steel structures like bridges, water tanks and other infrastructure.  Marine paints for boats and ships often contain lead. Lead paint is used to mark roadways and parking lots. 

The good news is that there are substitutes for all these applications that are being sold for no additional costs.  Some companies that voluntarily removed lead additives from their coating products have indicated that substitute paints cost no more to manufacture.

Getting Lead Out of Paints

In order to minimize harmful human exposures, Occupational Knowledge International while working in coordination with other non-governmental organizations, governments and industry leaders around the world helped launch the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint. While a small number of countries have comprehensive national laws and programs regulating the lead content of paints, these products remain unregulated in most countries. In addition, there is a need for international cooperation to disseminate information and to standardize labeling. At the outset, the Global Alliance had broadly defined “lead paint”, as any paint (to include varnish, lacquer, stain, enamel, glaze, primer or coating) and indicates that paint without added lead compounds has a lead concentration less than 90 ppm (parts per million).

Substitutes for lead in paint

Substitutes for lead-based pigments have been available for over one hundred years and titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are commonly used for this purpose. In most countries where lead paint is commonly sold for residential use, competing brands that have eliminated the use of lead in their products are often selling at a similar price.

Regulating lead in paint

Most countries do not have regulatory limitations on lead content in paint or only have voluntary standards in place. In countries with regulations, the permissible lead levels are often inconsistent and are often restrict lead paints only in residential applications. Standards between countries vary greatly and some regulations reference soluble lead and others total lead (percent by weight). Ideally, all countries should ban the production, import, export and use of lead paints and coatings with concentrations greater than 90 parts per million (ppm) lead for all applications.

Lead in Toys and Jewelry

Children often place toys and jewelry in their mouths and these items are sometimes swallowed. Products intended for children that are painted with lead based paint are a known source of lead exposure. Inexpensive jewelry marketed to children has often been found to contain lead.

Lead in Plastics

Many plastic products and even plastic toys often contain lead.  Lead is added to plastics to make them more flexible and for color.  Approximately half of all lead chromate pigments go into plastic production.

Lead in Pottery and Metal Cookware

Lead is often added to glazes used in pottery.  This is especially the case in countries where low-temperature pottery is made.  This is the most common type of pottery used in many countries including Mexico, Turkey, Ecuador and other countries contain high levels of lead that leaches into food. 

Locally made cookware made from recycled aluminum mixed with other scrap metal is commonly used in dozens of low and middle-income countries.  Normal use of this cookware releases high concentrations of lead into food.

Lead in Ammunition

Aside from lead batteries, the use of lead in ammunition is the only other segment that is continuing to expand.  Lead is primarily used in bullets and shot (used in shotguns and grenades) but it is also used in the explosive that ignites gun powder. When a firearm is shot, the heat involved releases lead fumes that are readily absorbed and also result in significant dust and soil contamination.   At firing ranges spent bullets also contribute to soil and water contamination.



Global lead production 2011-2022 (in 1,000 Metric Tons)

Lead battery manufacturing: Extremely high exposures from welding lead battery posts

Pottery glazes often contain high concentrations of lead that leach into food and drinks.

Paint manufacturing facility where lead pigments are commonly added despite the availability of alternatives.