Young children, especially those younger than 3 years old, are at a higher risk for lead exposure and its effects because:

• They often put their hands and objects in their mouths.
• They sometimes swallow non-food items.
• Their bodies absorb lead at a higher rate.
• Their brains are developing quickly.
• Lead exposure can have detrimental effects on early childhood development and children’s future outcomes.
• A pregnant woman who is exposed to lead can pass it to her baby.
• Lead can also be passed to a baby through the mother’s breast milk.