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Health risks from lead

Even very low levels of lead in the blood can affect health. This is especially true for babies, children, and unborn babies.

• Blood lead levels between 10 and 15 micrograms per 100 millilitres of blood have been linked to changes in behaviour and brain development.
• Levels of about 40 micrograms per 100 millilitres of blood can affect how the body makes red blood cells.

Note: One microgram is about the weight of a single speck of dust, while 100 millilitres of blood is about half a small juice box (about 7 tablespoons).

Most children who have lead in their blood do not show immediate symptoms. However, even low levels of lead can result in subtle neurodevelopmental issues particularly in young children.  Preschool children can absorb into their gut approximately 40% of the lead they happen to ingest, while adults absorb only about 10%. What is not absorbed is primarily removed from the body as waste. 

How lead enters the body

Lead can enter the body through:

• The mouth (by eating or swallowing it)
• The lungs (by breathing it in)
• The skin (very rare)

Unborn babies can be exposed if the birth parent has lead in their blood.

Most people in Canada are exposed through food, water, or dust. Children are more at risk because they often put their hands and toys in their mouths. Preschool children are also still developing so will absorb more lead if they happen to ingest it then an adult would.

In workplaces like mines, lead dust or fumes may be breathed in.

How lead is stored and removed from the body

Once lead enters the body, it travels through the blood and settles in soft tissues like the liver and kidneys. Over time, it is stored in bones, where it can stay for decades.

• Adults absorb about 10% of the lead they swallow.
• Young children absorb about 40% of the lead they swallow.
• The body slowly gets rid of lead through urine and  fecal waste (poop).
• If you do not get enough minerals (calcium, iron or zinc), your body may absorb more lead.

In times of stress, illness, or pregnancy, lead stored in bones may be released back into the blood.

How to lower your exposure to lead

You can reduce your risk of lead exposure with these simple steps:

• Run your tap water or flush your pipes
  • If water has been sitting in the pipes (like overnight), run the cold tap for 2 minutes before using it for drinking or cooking, or flush your pipes by running the shower, doing laundry, or running the dishwasher.
  • Always use cold water for cooking, as hot water can contain more lead.
  • Clean faucet aerators to remove build up.
  • If you're concerned about lead levels, consider installing a water filter that is certified to remove lead, such as those with carbon-based, reverse osmosis, or distillation filtration.

  • If you live in an older home and suspect that you may have lead piping, fixtures or faucets, you may consider getting your water professionally tested. (Note the municipal water is tested regularly and does not have lead service lines)

• Eat healthy foods
  • A diet high in calcium, iron, and vitamin C can help your body absorb less lead.
  • Examples include:
    • Calcium-rich foods: milk, yogurt, cheese, fish, spinach, and kale
    • Iron-rich foods: red meat (beef, lentils, beans, and fortified cereals
    • Vitamin C-rich foods: berries, oranges, bell peppers and strawberries
• Clean up dust
  • Wipe floors, windowsills, and other surfaces with a damp cloth or mop, especially in older homes. Clean or change filters regularly. Dust can contain lead or may have used lead paint..
  • Remove outdoor shoes when entering home
• Check your plumbing and paint
  • Homes built before 1986 may have plumbing materials that contain lead.
  • Homes built before 1975 may have lead pipes.

  • Lead paint was banned for indoor consumer use in 1960 and for exterior consumer use in 1990.

  • Remove or replace any pipes, fittings or faucets in your home containing lead with appropriate materials certified for use in drinking water systems, and making sure that any solder used in your plumbing is lead-free.

• Watch for lead in products
  • Some imported toys, cosmetics, glazed pottery, or traditional remedies may contain lead.
  • Buy from trusted sources and check for safety alerts or recalls.

Who is at most risk

Preschool children and unborn babies are more vulnerable because:

• Their bodies absorb more lead
• Their brains and organs are still developing
• They cannot get rid of lead as easily

After menopause, women may release stored lead from bones due to lower bone mass (osteoporosis).

Testing and treatment

There is a simple blood test to check for lead in the body. Your healthcare provider can help you decide if testing is needed. If you are concerned about elevated lead levels and you live in Yellowknife, please contact Primary Care by completing the Callback Request Form and select 'YK Primary Care Regarding Public Health Order'. For outside Yellowknife talk to your health care provider.

Lead poisoning happens when lead causes health problems. Lead exposure just means that lead has entered the body. You can be exposed without having symptoms.

Symptoms of lead poisoning may include:

• Headaches and irritability
• Abdominal pain or vomiting
• Pale skin, weight loss, or tiredness
• Learning or attention difficulties in children

Treatment:

Blood lead levels of Canadian children are generally low, less than 10 micrograms per 100 milliltres of blood. In fact, there are very few documented cases in Canada of blood lead levels that require intervention of some form

If your blood lead levels are high, treatment to help remove lead from your body may be recommended. The type of treatment depends on your blood lead level and overall health. In rare cases, this may include chelation therapy, a medication that helps the body get rid of lead. This treatment is used only when blood lead levels are very high, as it can have side effects.

Monitoring Lead Levels in Yellowknife

Health Effects Monitoring Program

The Health Effects Monitoring Program, led by the University of Ottawa and the University of Waterloo has been testing residents of Yellowknife, Ndılǫ, and Dettah since 2017. The program monitors exposure to metals of concern such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium in residents of Yellowknife, Ndılǫ, and Dettah, communities located near the former Giant Mine site.

Key findings:

In 2017-2018, over 2,000 people aged 3 to 79 were tested.

• 60 people had high levels in urine and were offered follow-up blood testing in 2019.
• 32 people provided blood samples, and all had levels below the guideline.

Given children’s increased sensitivity to lead a more conservative action level of 3.5 µg/dL was applied. This is in line with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In 2023, 388 children and youth were retested.

• 43 had elevated urine lead levels and were offered follow-up in 2024-2025.
• 22 returned for blood testing.
• All children had blood levels below 3.5 µg/dL

These results are reassuring since no participants ( adult or child)  met the blood lead level needing public health intervention. . The follow-up program will continue every five years to help monitor health and keep families informed.

School Drinking Water

For information regarding school water testing please refer to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment's website.

Where to get more information

For more information, talk to your health care provider, call 811, or visit:

• Health Canada – Lead and Human Health