Pediatric Lead Poisoning Is Still a Problem in the U.S.

Jan 20, 2026

What Recent Research Shows — and How to Reduce Risk at Home

Lead poisoning is often treated as a problem of the past, but recent research shows it remains a real and ongoing threat to children in the United States.

A study published in Hospital Pediatrics examined pediatric lead poisoning cases treated at freestanding children’s hospitals from 2016 through 2023. The findings confirm what many public health experts and pediatricians have long suspected: serious lead exposures are still occurring, and they continue to affect vulnerable populations at higher rates.

What the Research Found

The study reviewed hospitalizations and emergency department visits related to confirmed pediatric lead poisoning. Across dozens of children’s hospitals, researchers identified thousands of encounters tied to elevated blood lead levels, including cases severe enough to require inpatient treatment.

Several trends stood out:

Lead poisoning has not been eliminated. Children are still being hospitalized and treated for high lead exposure.
Disparities remain significant. Higher rates were observed among children from lower-income households, rural communities, and neighborhoods with fewer economic resources.
Environmental exposure plays a major role. Many cases were linked to lead hazards commonly found in older housing.

These findings reinforce an important point: medical testing identifies lead exposure after it has occurred, not before.

Why Lead Exposure Is Especially Dangerous for Children

Lead is a toxic metal that interferes with brain and nervous system development. Young children absorb lead more easily than adults, and even relatively low levels can cause lasting cognitive and behavioral effects.

Common sources of lead exposure include:

Peeling or deteriorating paint in homes built before 1978
Lead-contaminated dust from renovation or repair work
Lead in soil near older structures
Plumbing materials that leach lead into drinking water

Because symptoms are often subtle or absent, families may not realize there is a problem until a blood test shows elevated levels.

Prevention Starts Before Exposure Occurs

Public health screening and treatment are essential, but the most effective protection is identifying lead hazards before children are exposed. That starts with understanding where lead may be present in the environment.

Using LeadCheck™ Swabs for Early Detection

Luxfer LeadCheck™ Swabs provide a fast, simple way to screen surfaces for the presence of lead. They are widely used by homeowners, landlords, child-care providers, and contractors to identify potential lead hazards in living and play areas.

LeadCheck™ Swabs allow users to:

Test painted surfaces and other materials children may contact
Get immediate visual results without sending samples to a lab
Take action earlier to reduce the risk of exposure

While surface testing does not replace medical screening, identifying lead in the environment can help prevent exposure before it leads to elevated blood lead levels.

Why Environmental Lead Testing Still Matters

The recent pediatric hospital data make one thing clear: lead poisoning continues to affect children today, and many cases are preventable. Older housing, deferred maintenance, and renovation activity remain common sources of risk.

Families, property owners, and child-care operators who take a proactive approach to lead awareness can significantly reduce those risks.

Taking Action

If you live in or manage an older property, or if children spend time in your home or facility:

Test suspect surfaces for lead before renovating or repainting
Pay attention to areas where paint is chipping or worn
Use reliable screening tools like Luxfer LeadCheck™ Swabs as part of a broader lead-safety plan

Reducing lead exposure doesn’t start in the hospital. It starts with awareness, prevention, and early detection.

Learn more about LeadCheck™ Swabs and how they can help you identify lead hazards before they become a health emergency.