EPA does not regulate lead in cultural products.* However, exposure to lead in such products may contribute to overall high blood lead levels. EPA co-leads and works with federal partners through the President’s Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children on topics of interest to children’s health, including lead exposures.

*Cultural products in EPA speak are cosmetics, religious powders, spices, traditional medicine, and cookware, which can contain heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium. Exposure to contaminants such as lead can cause health impacts, including reduced IQ, learning difficulties, and behavior issues like hyperactivity and inability to pay attention. These effects may not be visible because they manifest later in life.