Childhood Lead Exposure at a Glance
3x
2.5x
3,555
Health Effects of Lead Exposure
There is no safe level of lead exposure and
childhood exposure to even low levels can cause
severe and irreversible effects, including:
Massachusetts children
tested with elevated
blood lead levels in 2017.
Lead Paint is the Primary Hazard
When children are identified as lead
poisoned, most often the source of
the exposure is through ingestion of
dust or soil contaminated by loose or
deteriorated lead paint or lead paint that was
disturbed by unsafe renovation work in their homes.
Lead in Homes by the Numbers
Lead-based paints were banned in homes in 1978.
71% of Massachusetts housing
was built before 1978
18% of pre-1978 housing has
been inspected for lead hazards
10% of pre-1978 housing has been confirmed
lead safe
Race and Income Inequities
Lead is a critical health equity issue. Lead exposure
in Massachusetts disproportionately impacts low
income communities and communities of color.
Historical housing policies that have perpetuated
segregation and limited opportunity for home
ownership, such as redlining, have led to the increase
in risk factors for lead poisoning in black communities,
including older housing stock, dilapidated housing and
fewer owner-occupied housing units.
Children living in low income communities are over
more likely to have
elevated blood lead levels
than children living in high income communities.
Black children are nearly
more likely to have
lead poisoning
than white children.
MASSACHUSETTS DEPART MENT OF PUBLIC HEALT H | BUREAU OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Childhood Lead Exposure in Massachusetts
Impact at a Glance
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health enforces the state’s laws on lead exposure through the prevention,
screening, diagnosis and treatment of childhood lead poisoning, including elimination of the sources of poisoning.
While substantial gains have been made to mitigate its harmful effects, lead exposure remains a significant health
risk for children across Massachusetts.
Damage to the brain and
nervous system
Learning and behavior
problems
Slowed growth and
development, hearing
and speech problems
For more information on DPH’s Childhood Lead Prevention Program, visit:
www.mass.gov/orgs/childhood-lead-poisoning-prevention-program