Lead persists as problem in holiday gifts, environmental cost

Lead persists as problem in holiday gifts, environmental cost

Lead poisoning has hit the news recently with pollution from leaded aviation gasoline, poisoning from applesauce pouches and federal lead pipe replacement projects. But some lead-poisoning threats come during the holiday gift-giving season from jewelry, toys, makeup and other items. Inexpensive jewelry has often been found to contain lead because it is shaped easily and is cheaper than alternatives, like zinc, says the California Department of Toxic Substances Control.