the recent water crisis in Flint Michigan has put the health effects of lead exposure into the headlines while Alaska doesn't have the widespread issues with elevated lead levels like some lower 48 communities let exposure is still a serious public health concern in our state in Alaska about two percent of children tested have elevated blood lead levels even low levels of lead exposure in lower IQ decrease a child's ability to pay attention and affect academic achievement no amount of lead is completely safe especially for young children because of their rapidly developing brains and bodies also the effects of lead exposure can linger lead can be absorbed and stored for many years in the bones as people age or during pregnancy stored lead can be released into the body blood and brain know the sources of lead in Alaska and minimize or eliminate exposure in Alaska the common potential sources of lead include aviation gasoline's old paint lead ammunition and fishing weights and some imported products if working with lead use appropriate personal protective gear wet mop rather than vacuum areas where there may be lead dust such as indoor firing ranges to reduce the risk of inhaling lead dust and wash your hands well after handling lead a simple blood test can detect lead in a person's body blood lead tests are recommended for children at age 12 and 24 months talk with your health care provider about whether you or your child should be tested for lead