A set of leggings with a matching Minnie Mouse shirt, freeze-dried blueberries, a face cream; These seemingly unrelated items shared one toxic trait — they were recalled because they contained a dangerously high level of lead.
The Minnie Mouse outfit, for example, used lead paint to print the smiling character onto the shirt and matching daisies onto the pants. Almost 90,000 units were sold, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Although government bans have reduced lead exposure, the heavy metal can still be found in consumer goods as well as water pipes and paint in older houses. Scientists have found that lead poisoning can be detrimental to physical and mental health. Studies have also found it’s a persisting problem in many U.S. cities.
What Is Lead Poisoning?
Lead poisoning happens when a person has been exposed to the toxin and develops a buildup in their body. Both adults and children can experience lead poisoning, but kids are especially at risk because their growing bones are softer and more malleable.
