Lead

What you may have heard

Exposure to lead causes cancer.

What science tells us

Lead is harmful, regardless of the type of lead exposure (breathing in, swallowing, or absorbing through the skin), but the body absorbs the highest levels of lead when it is inhaled (CDC). Lead is absorbed and stored in the bones, blood, and tissues, so the body continues to be exposed to harmful lead levels, even after an initial exposure. As our body ages, bones begin to break down and internal exposures actually increase; this is called bone demineralization (CDC). Women in menopause also face additional bone demineralization.

Short-term health effects from lead exposure are abdominal pain, constipation, headaches, memory loss, pain in the hands and feet, and weakness. Exposure to high levels of lead over time may cause anemia, weakness, kidney damage, brain damage, and even death (CDC). Women who are pregnant also expose their unborn child, resulting in damage to a baby’s nervous system. Lead exposure can potentially cause miscarriage, stillbirths, and infertility (CDC).

Epidemiological Evidence

Lead is harmful, regardless of the type of lead exposure (breathing in, swallowing, or absorbing through the skin), but the body absorbs the highest levels of lead when it is inhaled (CDC). Lead is absorbed and stored in the bones, blood, and tissues, so the body continues to be exposed to harmful lead levels, even after an initial exposure. As our body ages, bones begin to break down and internal exposures actually increase; this is called bone demineralization (CDC). Women in menopause also face additional bone demineralization.

Short-term health effects from lead exposure are abdominal pain, constipation, headaches, memory loss, pain in the hands and feet, and weakness. Exposure to high levels of lead over time may cause anemia, weakness, kidney damage, brain damage, and even death (CDC). Women who are pregnant also expose their unborn child, resulting in damage to a baby’s nervous system. Lead exposure can potentially cause miscarriage, stillbirths, and infertility (CDC).

Laboratory Evidence/Supporting Evidence

Laboratory studies have reported that lead causes kidney cancer, brain cancer (gliomas), and lung cancer in rodents, and acts synergistically with other carcinogens. Several environmental journals have also published studies on the effect of lead on rodents, which have also shown to cause tumor growth. Long term exposure to lead increases the event of lung cancer in mice (Vainio).

IARC Carcinogen Classification: Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans: inorganic lead), 3 (Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans: organic lead) and Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans: lead).

How to reduce your risk

Eliminate lead exposure entirely. This may include phasing out the use of lead in paints, eliminating the use of lead in household products, encouraging the removal of plumbing containing lead, preventing exposure from electric and electronic waste, and identifying contaminated sites (WHO). If you know that you are exposed to lead as a result of your work, monitor blood levels during occupational exposure and include blood level monitoring for anyone in your household (WHO).

Bottom line

Lead exposure is associated with severe health outcomes, such as cancer, and should be avoided (CDC).

Learn More From These Trusted Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Lead
World Health Organization (WHO): Exposure to lead
American Lung Association: Lead
American Cancer Society: Known and probable human carcinogens

Date

Published: June 30, 2021
Verified/updated: August 22, 2022