Over the past few decades, there have been significant measures taken to reduce the risk of poisoning through exposure to lead. Our cars are now required to run on unleaded gasoline. The use of lead-based paint is now banned.

We have limited our exposure to lead for a good reason: lead is a toxic substance that can adversely affect brain development in children, damage the nervous system or kidneys, or even result in death.

Lead is not a substance that simply disappears. It can remain in an environment for years, slowly but steadily building up in the bloodstream and tissue of those who are repeatedly exposed to it, while the victims are usually unaware of the danger that they are in until it is too late.

The national goal of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is to "eliminate childhood lead poisoning in the United States by 2010."

The CDC website lists these Goals of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

"To raise awareness about this serious health issue;

To emphasize the importance of screening the highest risk children younger than 6 years of age, preferably screening them by 1 to 2 years of age;

To highlight existing childhood lead poisoning prevention partnering efforts and to increase the establishment of new efforts; and

To urge people to take steps to reduce their possible exposure to lead."