Tag: lead poisoning

UPDATE: FDA Warns About Imported Cookware That May Leach Lead

Posted on by ToxTeam

As of October 20, 2025, the FDA has identified six additional cookware products that may leach lead into food. These products may leach lead when used for cooking or storing food. The FDA will continue testing additional products and keep an update list of affected products.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers about possible lead in imported cookware. Testing done by the FDA has shown that imported cookware made from aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys known as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium may leach lead into food when used for cooking. Exposure to lead can cause many negative effects including decreased learning, memory, and attention, weakness in fingers, wrists, or ankles, anemia, and kidney damage. Children and babies are especially at risk for negative health effects from lead exposure.

The FDA recommends that consumers check their homes for products listed on the safety alert and throw away any cookware found on that list. It is not recommended to donate or refurbish this cookware. If consumers are concerned about lead exposure they should contact their healthcare provider.

For more information:

FDA Lead Alert:

https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-issues-warning-about-imported-cookware-may-leach-lead-august-2025

ATSDR Lead ToxFAQs: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=93&toxid=22

FDA Finds Lead in More Ground Cinnamon Products

Posted on by Tox Team

Since lead was found in applesauce last year and determined to be from the cinnamon used, the FDA and partner states have been testing ground cinnamon products for lead. Since March 2024, FDA has found multiple ground cinnamon products with unsafe levels of lead. To this point, all of the products have had much lower levels than the cinnamon found in the applesauce that was recalled. However, these products are still hazardous to people’s health, especially children and pregnant women. You can see if you have bought any of these products at the FDA website:

Some products have been voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer and can be returned to the store for a refund. Others have not been recalled yet. People with these cinnamon products should not continue to use them and should throw them away.

Lead and Firing Ranges

Posted on by Tox Team

Target Shooting and Lead

People who routinely go target shooting are at increased risk for exposure to lead. When a gun is fired, lead dust and vapors are released and can be breathed in or settle on the skin, hair, or clothes. Lead has no biological role in the body, and no level of lead is known to be safe. Lead is especially harmful to children, and can contribute to learning disabilities or ADHD.

Protect Your Child from Lead

It only takes a small amount of lead to raise a child’s blood lead level. Lead dust brought home from a shooting range on shoes or clothing can settle on floors, then be picked up on objects or a child’s hands, and from there taken to a child’s mouth. After going shooting, wash your hands, arms, and face to remove lead from your skin. Change your clothes when you get home and wash them separately. Keep down the amount of lead dust in the home through regular wet cleaning of floors. If you shoot regularly and have a child who is less than 6 years old, talk to your child’s doctor about lead poisoning and whether your child should be tested.

For more information for indoor gun range owners, employees, and customers, please see our handout on Lead and Firing Ranges fact sheet.

October 21-27 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

Posted on by Tox Team

Lead is Still Found in Many Homes

Lead is a toxic metal that is still present in and around many homes in lead-based paint and urban soils. Lead can also be tracked in if parents have jobs or hobbies that expose them to lead. Children who are exposed to lead at a young age are at increased risk for speech delay, learning disabilities, and ADHD. A simple blood test can tell if your child has been exposed to lead. If you have children under six years old, ask your doctor if they might be at risk for lead poisoning. See the EPA’s home page on lead for more information.

Protect Your Child from Lead Around Your Home

If you live in a home built before 1978 your home may contain lead paint. Use a damp rag to clean up any paint chips.  Frequent wet cleaning will remove dust and dirt that could contain lead. Leave shoes by the door to avoid tracking in lead, and don’t let your child play in bare dirt around the house. If you do renovation projects, hire a contractor with RRP certification or follow guidelines for safe do-it-yourself renovation.

Lead Abatement Assistance is Available in Richmond and Roanoke

The cities of Richmond and Roanoke have obtained federal grants that will help pay to control lead hazards in private homes for qualifying homeowners. Residents of those cities who are interested should contact their local health department.