Lead poisoning is a disease which occurs when the amount of lead in a human body builds up beyond an amount that it can cope with. Lead poisoning is an increasingly serious issue in the U.S. and lead paint was banned for residential properties in 1978. Despite this many houses contain lead paint, and the majority of lead poisoning incidents happen at home. The main cause is small particles of lead dust being released during repair or renovation, with this dust being so tiny that it passes through most filters and masks. Water can be a source of lead in a house that has lead pipes. Lead poisoning can affect adults and children of all ages, races and religions, with children under six years of age at most risk - due to them absorbing seven times more lead that they ingest than adults do. Most lead poisoning cases are preventable if you know the lead poisoning facts.