Key messages
- Lead is not required for human health and can be hazardous when taken into the body.
- The health effects of lead exposure depend on a variety of factors such as a person's age, the amount of lead they are exposed to and for how long, and if they have other health conditions.
- Pathology services must notify the department of cases of elevated blood lead levels (>5 μg/dL) within 5 days of initial diagnosis.
Lead is a naturally occurring metal. It is used in industry and, in the past, was added to petrol and household paints.
Lead is not required for human health and can be hazardous when taken into the body by swallowing or breathing in lead or materials contaminated with lead. Once in the body, lead circulates in the blood and can be stored in the bones.
Lead poisoning from illicit opium
In 2018, the Department of Health identified three cases of lead poisoning in Melbourne linked to the use of illicit opium heavily contaminated with lead.
A community fact sheet about this issue has been developed which is available in English, Arabic, Pashto, Persian, Urdu and Dari.
Lead and health
The health effects from exposure to lead will depend on a variety of factors such as:
- a person's age
- the amount of lead they are exposed to and for how long
- if they have other health conditions.
Young children, including unborn babies, are at greatest risk of the health effects of lead exposure. Children are most often exposed to lead by swallowing items or soil containing lead or breathing in dust containing lead.
Adults are most often exposed to lead if they work in a job which involves lead-based activities.
If you suspect that you or a member of your family has been exposed to lead, visit your doctor for further advice. They may recommend that you have a blood test to measure the amount of lead in your blood.
Further information is available on the Better Health .
Notification of elevated blood lead (>5 μg/dL)
The Department of Health and Human Services monitors cases of elevated blood lead levels in Victoria. The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 requires that pathology services (laboratories) notify the department within five days of initial diagnosis of cases with blood lead greater than five micrograms per decilitre (>5 μg/dL).
On 1 September 2018, amendments to the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2009 came into effect, removing the requirement for medical practitioners to notify the department of cases of elevated blood lead >5µg/dL. The department remains authorised to capture additional information from medical practitioners to assist investigations, prevent further cases, and inform prevention strategies, as required.
Medical practitioners can still notify the department of cases of elevated blood lead >5µg/dL.
Lead and gun shooters
If you shoot firearms, handle bullets, make your own ammunition or visit shooting ranges, you're at a higher risk for lead exposure.
There is no safe level of exposure to lead. Breathing in or swallowing lead dust or fumes harms your health. However, you can lower the risk.
Find out more by downloading the Lead exposure from shooting firearms fact sheet.
Poster for display at shooting ranges
The following poster is for display at shooting ranges. It communicates key messages which will help recreational shooters reduce their risk of lead exposure while at the range and reduce the risk of their family being exposed to lead at home.
Reviewed 07 August 2024