When I was a kid, we molded lead into toy soldiers. We’ve learned a lot since that era. Lead can be a serious health and environmental problem, but surprisingly, its use continues.

If swallowed, lead is poisonous to humans and also to a variety of wildlife. Lead accumulates in the body over the years and can cause serious health issues, even in small quantities. It affects the nervous system and can impair the bloodstream and cause brain damage. It is especially harmful to small children.

State and federal governments have taken many actions to reduce the amount of lead in our environment. Lead was initially banned from gasoline in 1973 and was fully phased out by 1986. Lead was banned from household paint in 1978, and in 2010 the EPA ruled that in remodels of homes built before 1978, workers must be certified if a specified amount of paint will be disturbed. Lead shot was banned for waterfowl hunting in 1991, and recently California became the first state to ban lead in ammunition for all other hunting.

Yet lead remains in widespread use. Sportsmen use it in shooting sports, hunting and fishing tackle. Lead’s industrial uses are extensive: as a radiation shield; in batteries; in building construction (including residential); in certain electronics; in some chemical compounds, and more. Lead also potentially exists in pipes that bring water to and from houses built before 1978. Lead also occurs in nature, but only in very small amounts.

We should be doing everything possible to minimize the use of lead in our environment. Here are some suggestions to help you protect yourself and your home:

• The Center for Disease Control has warned parents to be aware of potential lead hazards associated with some toys and toy jewelry.
• If you live in a house built before 1978, it should be tested for lead. Here is a list of EPA-certified renovators in N.E. Illinois. The EPA website gives information for other localities.
• Children’s hands can become contaminated from household dust or exterior soil, both of which are known lead sources. Wash kids’ hands regularly.
• Regularly wet clean floors and horizontal surfaces, to rid your home of household dust.
• By choosing to use non-lead shot for hunting, hunters can avoid poisoning millions of birds. Click here for a Consensus Statement of Scientists describing the health risks from lead-based ammunition in the environment, and here for more information on non-toxic bullets, from the American Bird Conservancy.
• Use cold water in preparing food and drinks, or filter drinking water using a filtering system.

Lead continues to be a serious health and environmental problem, but with thoughtful safeguards its impact can be minimized.