Lead is a metal that is toxic to the human organism, affecting us in many detrimental ways. Lead is the cause of serious damage to vital organs, learning disabilities and behavioral problems. Lead toxicity is related to the malfunctioning of many important metabolic pathways in our bodies, causing a long list of harmful effects. Those effects depend on exposure time regardless of the exposure pathway.
Lead takes time to build up in the organism. Susceptibility to lead exposure seems to be greater in young children than adults since they are prone to touch objects and take their little fingers to their mouths. Children may become lead poisoned by eating paint chips found in houses with peeling or flaking lead-based paint, and by walking barefoot on lead-contaminated soil.
If you suspect you may have lead paint or other lead-contaminated items in your house, get a professional opinion from a lead inspection and lead testing specialized company.