CDPH Lead Inspector/Assessor California State Practice Exam

How do children primarily get poisoned by lead?

1. Through direct contact with lead paint

2. By swallowing lead dust through hand-to-mouth contact

3. Inhalation of lead fumes from industrial settings

4. Through ingestion of contaminated water

The correct answer is: By swallowing lead dust through hand-to-mouth contact

Children primarily get poisoned by lead through the ingestion of lead dust as a result of hand-to-mouth contact. This method of lead exposure is particularly significant because young children are more likely to engage in these behaviors due to their developmental stage, often putting their hands or objects in their mouths after touching surfaces that may have lead dust. This transmission pathway underscores the importance of ensuring that homes, especially those built before 1978 when lead-based paints were common, are maintained to prevent lead dust accumulation. Children are at greater risk because their bodies are still developing, and they absorb lead more readily than adults, which can result in severe health consequences, including cognitive impairment and developmental delays. While direct contact with lead paint and ingestion of contaminated water are also possible sources of lead exposure, they are generally less common or less significant in the context of typical childhood behaviors. Inhalation of lead fumes primarily affects adults in industrial settings and is not a primary factor for children. Understanding these pathways highlights the need for preventive measures to protect children's health from lead exposure.