A new analysis shows lead-contaminated spices, cookware, toys and other consumer products were a source of exposure in 1 out of 5 surveyed homes, re-upping calls to broaden regulatory scrutiny beyond lead in paint, pipes and dust.
The New York-based nonprofit Pure Earth published an analysis Wednesday in the peer-reviewed Environmental Health Perspectives journal that examined data from 4,831 investigations between 2010 and 2021 in homes with known lead poisonings.
Consumer products were identified as a source of lead exposure in 969, or 20 percent, of homes across the four U.S. jurisdictions studied — California, New York City, Oregon and King County, Washington.
Exposures varied depending on areas. In 2019, consumer products were a potential source of lead exposure in 15 percent of 1,462 New York City homes, whereas 38 percent of 42 homes in King County, Washington, were at potential risk from consumer products the same year, according to the analysis.
