HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS

In Auckland, the most common causes of lead poisoning in the home, or from hobbies and activities, or work, are:

• paint‐stripping on houses built pre‐1980
• consumption of herbal and Ayurvedic medicines that contain lead
• indoor shooting ranges
• casting of lead bullets, fish sinkers and diving weights
• lead smelting
• occupational exposure, such as stripping lead-based paints as part of your job.

Paint stripping

Lead-based paint was commonly used on houses up until about 1980. People who renovate their homes, and strip or sand this paint, can release lead into their environment, commonly as dust, or into the soil. Children are most at risk as they have smaller bodies, are closer to the ground (and therefore the lead), and will often taste or eat contaminated materials, or touch them and put their hands to their mouths. Make sure you are very careful about clean-up, especially if you have young children.

Alternative medicine and products

NPHS - Northern Region has been notified of several cases of lead poisoning resulting from the use of Ayurvedic and Chinese traditional medicines. Alternative medicines are often classed as dietary supplements, and may not comply with the same safety standards as conventional medicine. Asian alternative medicines and products that may contain lead and other heavy metals include:

• Ayurvedic medicines
• Chinese traditional medicines
• skin-lightening products
• some ceremonial powders (sindoor)
• traditional cosmetics eg eyeliner
• some food additives.

It's recommende people who buy alternative medicine products:

• only purchase medicines where the contents are clearly listed and known to be safe
• do not buy Ayurvedic and other alternative medicines over the internet
• consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking an alternative medicine
• seek immediate medical attention if you become unwell while taking an alternative medicine
• be careful about products brought into New Zealand as ‘personal imports’ by travellers

Indoor shooting

Indoor shooting is sometimes associated with raised blood lead levels. It is particularly important not to carry lead home on your body and clothing if you will be in contact with pregnant women or young children.

Casting of lead bullets, fish sinkers and diving weights, and lead smelting

Some amateur fishermen, shooters and divers like to make their own weights and bullets.  If you do this you need to be very careful about your lead exposure as you may release lead into the environment, often in small spaces, such as your shed or garage. Hobby activities like stained glass panel making and car repair are also potentially risky.

Exposure to lead while at work

Lead poisoning is common among people who strip paint for a living, such as from houses and industrial structures. Employers are expected to have preventative measures in place to protect against this. Further information is available from Worksafe.

• Lead poisoning fact sheet PDF (NPHS). This fact sheet is available in Tongan and Samoan. 
• The environmental case management of lead-exposed persons PDF (Ministry of Health)
• Fact sheet - Minimising lead exposure in shooting club ranges PDF (NPHS)
• Fact sheet - Health advice for indoor shooters PDF (NPHS)