From cookware to cosmetics, the overlooked risks of lead exposure

Lead is a toxic metal that can enter everyday life through products and environments people may not immediately associate with health risks. From contaminated household dust and drinking water to certain cosmetics, cookware and food products, exposure can occur through several routes, sometimes without people being aware of it.

Although lead has been used for centuries in manufacturing and industrial processes, its harmful effects on human health are well established. The metal can accumulate in the body over time, affecting several organs and systems. Children are particularly vulnerable because their brains and nervous systems are still developing.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has highlighted the continued presence of lead in consumer products and industrial materials, calling for stronger regulations, better monitoring and the development of safer alternatives. The World Health Organization (WHO) also identifies lead as one of the chemicals of major public-health concern.

According to WHO, more than 3.5 million deaths worldwide were attributed to lead exposure in 2023, primarily through cardiovascular effects. The organisation also warns that there is no known level of lead exposure that is without harmful effects on health.

How lead enters the human body

People can be exposed to lead through inhalation or ingestion. Breathing in contaminated dust and fumes is a significant risk in certain workplaces, particularly those involving battery recycling, metal processing, mining and manufacturing.

Lead can also enter the body when people consume contaminated food or water, or accidentally swallow dust and soil containing lead particles. Young children face additional risks because they frequently put their hands and objects in their mouths while exploring their surroundings.

Once absorbed, lead circulates through the bloodstream and reaches organs such as the brain, kidneys and liver. It can also accumulate in bones and teeth, where it may remain for years. During pregnancy, lead stored in the mother's bones can be released into the bloodstream and expose the developing foetus.

Unlike some forms of food contamination, lead exposure may not produce immediate or noticeable symptoms. This makes identifying the source and preventing further exposure particularly important.

Why children face greater risks

The effects of lead exposure are especially concerning during childhood, when the brain and nervous system undergo significant development.

WHO states that exposure can affect intellectual development, attention span and behaviour. Children exposed to lead may experience reduced intelligence quotient (IQ), learning difficulties and behavioural changes. High levels of exposure can cause severe damage to the brain and nervous system, while prolonged exposure at lower levels can also have lasting effects.

The consequences extend beyond neurological development. Lead exposure can contribute to anaemia, kidney damage and high blood pressure. In adults, it is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other health problems.

For schools and education systems, the issue has an additional dimension. Children who experience lead-related developmental and cognitive effects may face difficulties with attention, memory and learning. Such effects can influence their educational progress, although the impact varies according to the level and duration of exposure and other individual factors.

WHO notes that even relatively low blood lead concentrations can be associated with reduced intelligence and learning difficulties. Its guidance therefore emphasises preventing exposure rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.

Everyday products that can carry lead

Lead exposure is not limited to industrial workplaces. UNEP identifies several consumer products and household materials through which the metal can enter people's lives.

Paint is one example. Lead compounds have historically been added to paint to improve colour, durability and moisture resistance. Older painted surfaces can become a source of contaminated dust and paint flakes as they deteriorate. Children may accidentally ingest these particles while playing near peeling walls or handling contaminated objects.

Food products can also become contaminated. UNEP highlights the presence of lead in certain spices, including turmeric. In some cases, lead chromate has reportedly been added deliberately to lower-grade spices to make their colour appear brighter. Contamination can also occur through polluted soil, processing equipment and inadequate quality control.

Cookware and food containers represent another possible source. Certain aluminium utensils manufactured using contaminated scrap metal can contain lead and other harmful metals. Some ceramic products also use glazes containing lead, which may leach into food under certain conditions.

Cosmetics and traditional products require attention as well. WHO identifies some traditional cosmetics, including kohl and sindoor, among products that may contain lead. However, this does not mean that all such products are contaminated. The risk depends on their ingredients, manufacturing processes and quality controls.

Lead-acid batteries are another major part of the problem. They are widely used in vehicles and other applications, including backup power systems. The recycling and disposal of used batteries can release lead into the surrounding environment when carried out without appropriate safety measures.

The environmental cost of lead contamination

Lead pollution does not remain confined to the product or workplace where it originates. Mining, smelting, manufacturing and informal recycling can release lead particles into the air, soil and water.

Communities living near poorly regulated industrial facilities may face repeated exposure through contaminated dust, water and food sources. Workers involved in battery recycling and metal processing are also at risk, particularly where protective equipment and pollution-control systems are inadequate.

The environmental effects can extend to agriculture and wildlife. Lead contamination in soil and water can affect plants and animals, while polluted agricultural land may contribute to contamination in food chains.

The problem is particularly difficult to address in places where informal recycling and waste-management activities operate without adequate environmental safeguards. UNEP has called for better management of used lead-acid batteries and stronger controls over industrial sources of contamination.

Preventing exposure requires stronger controls

Reducing lead exposure requires action at several levels, from manufacturing standards and government regulation to safer waste disposal and public awareness.

UNEP works with governments and other partners through initiatives such as the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint, which seeks to encourage countries to introduce legally binding controls on lead in paints. The organisation has also supported the Partnership for a Lead-Free Future, which brings together public and private stakeholders to address childhood lead poisoning.

WHO recommends identifying and eliminating sources of exposure, particularly where children are affected. Blood lead testing can help determine whether a person has been exposed, while investigations into household environments, workplaces and food sources can help identify where contamination originates.

Consumers can also take precautions. Products such as cosmetics, traditional medicines and cookware should be purchased from regulated manufacturers and reliable suppliers. Used vehicle batteries and electronic waste should be handed over to authorised collection or recycling facilities rather than discarded or processed informally.

Where old paint is suspected of containing lead, scraping or sanding it without appropriate precautions can release contaminated dust. Testing and safe removal methods are therefore important.

Ultimately, reducing lead exposure depends on preventing the metal from entering products and environments in the first place. Stronger industrial standards, effective enforcement, safer manufacturing practices and responsible waste management remain central to protecting children and adults from its long-term effects.