when was it discovered that lead was poisonous
Lead poisoning In 2013 lead is believed to have resulted in 853,000 deaths.[2] It occurs most commonly in the developing world.[2] Those who are poor are at greater risk.[2] Lead is believed to result in 0.6% of the world's disease burden.[5] People have been mining and using lead for thousands of years.[4] Descriptions of lead poisoning date to at least 2000 BC,[4] while efforts to limit lead's use date back to at least the 1500s.[5] Concerns for low levels of exposure begin in the 1970s with there being no safe threshold for lead exposure.[2][4]
Lead-based paint in the United States Congress banned the use of lead-based paint in 1971,[3] and the Consumer Product Safety Commission followed with implementing regulations, effective in 1978.[4] Additional regulations regarding lead abatement, testing and related issues have been issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).