The two routes in which lead can be absorbed are ingestion (eating) and inhalation (breathing).
For small children, the primary route is ingestion and absorption through the gastrointestional tract. This is often due to their hand-to-mouth behaviors. It takes only a small amount of ingested lead to raise a child’s blood lead level.
Adults more typically absorb lead through inhalation, usually linked to house cleaning and/or remodeling activities.
Of special note, lead readily crosses the placenta, exposing a developing fetus. Pregnant women need to be particularly careful to avoid any type of lead exposure.
The most common source of lead exposure, whether by ingestion or inhalation, is from lead-based paint dust.
