Lead based products in the United States still remains an issue even though there have been bans, laws, and recalls enforced inorder to keep lead away from our citizens. Yet we still find lead in a lot of our eveyday products. Lead paint was banned in 1978, but you can probably find it on your walls if you house was built before the ban (especially before the 1960s). Though, these lead paints are not the only lead products that can be found in our homes.

 Here is a small list of lead containing products found in homes:

− Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain
− Folk remedies that contain lead, such as "greta" and "azarcon" used to treat an upset
stomach 
− Garden hoses – in brass couplings or in PVC 
− Imported candy containing tamarind or chili
− Wheel weights 
− Computers; circuit boards (young kids should not take electronics apart)
− Old or imported cans with soldered seams
− Antique toys (painted wagons, wood toys, lead soldiers)
− Some foil and colored gift wrap and ribbons 
− Decorations on glass drinking mugs  

Many of us can find some of these products in our homes and they aren't even half of the products that contain lead. We can encounter lead at almost anytime while at home, at work, or in a public environment because it is used in so many products.

     What can we do to avoid lead? There are a few things that come to my mind. For starters, buying products produced in the U.S. would be both great for you and for our economy. By buying products produced in the U.S. you have more of a chance of there being no or less lead coming in contact with you. Not to mention how buying an unimported product would keep spendings within the U.S. economic system. Secondly, buying 100% natural fruit and vegetables is probably the best thing that you can do for yourself. By buying 100% natural fruit and vegetables you are allowing less of a chance for lead to enter your food.