A nationwide map that includes 21 states and an area that is home to around 61% of the U.S. population shows that, even though there are huge gaps where there was no available data or health departments did not respond to records requests, and despite broad national progress in curbing poisoning, lead hazards continue to imperil many communities.

Children’s average blood lead levels have dropped by more than 90% since the heavy metal was phased out from paint and gasoline in the late 1970s, but in areas where there are many old homes that featured lead paint and plumbing, such as St. Joseph, Missouri, still hold grave danger.

More than 15% of children tested in seven census tracts had elevated lead levels, and it was found that the windows in these old homes released tiny plumes of lead dust, and the fireplace tiles, wallpaper the bathtub all contained high levels of lead too.

Many of the residents in these neighbourhoods take pride in preserving old homes, blissfully unaware that children can be poisoned during renovations when lead dust is in the air and gets in the water supplies.

Children in at least 4 million U.S. households are exposed to high levels of lead, according to the CDC; 11.5% of children tested in Milwaukee last year had elevated lead levels. Many children have been poisoned and had to be hospitalised due to the lead in peeling paint. Although chelation treatment can remove heavy metals from the body and help prevent further damage, the impact can be irreversible once a child is exposed.

Lead poisoning can lead to cognitive deficits that breed poor school performance, high dropout rates, few job opportunities, and brushes with the law. The Environmental Protection Agency has mandated so-called Superfund clean-ups of two contaminated lead sites in and around Viburnum, and the EPA has ordered that various sites must be cleaned, including playgrounds, day-care yards and other places where small children gather.

Lead is a dangerous toxin, so be sure that the water that you and your children are drinking is not polluted with lead. An easy way to ensure this is to invest in a water cooler with a good filter.