Secondhand smoke may be an important but overlooked source of chronic lead exposure in children and adolescents. That is the key finding of a recent study, published in the journal BMC Public Health by Associate Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health at Texas A&M University, Genny Carrillo and Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, Texas A&M University, Taehyun Roh.

Elevated blood levels were more common in children ages 6 to 10 than in older participants. Notably, children from low-income households showed 27% higher blood lead levels compared with those from high-income households.

Lead, unlike many other toxins, does not get diluted when exposure decreases. Nor does the body excrete it naturally. Instead, it accumulates in the bones and leaches into blood. The only way to remove it is through an oral medical treatment.