Lead poisoning epidemics

Lead poisoning epidemics refer to instances of mass lead poisoning. These events often occur without the community knowing. A common cause of a lead poisoning epidemic is Lead recycling which involves the opening and recycling of lead-based products. The lack of immediate health issues often result in workers taking few precautions when handling lead. These events also cause disproportionate childhood fatalities as children are more susceptible to lead poisoning than adults.

Notable poisoning events
This list does not include episodes of fewer that 100 people affected, nor does it include individual lead paint poisoning cases, nor those caused by eating contaminated food or water. The cases below are discrete events of mass lead poisonings.


 * Number tested high is defined as a blood lead level greater than or equal to 10 micrograms per deciliter whole blood (μg/dl)