How can children be exposed to lead?

Children can be exposed to lead through a variety of sources, making the correct answer comprehensive and reflective of the multiple pathways of exposure. Household items, water, and dust are significant contributors to lead exposure in children.

Lead can be found in paint, particularly in homes built before the 1978 ban on lead-based paint, and in older plumbing systems where lead pipes may leach into drinking water. Dust can accumulate lead particles from deteriorating lead paint or from outside sources, which children might inadvertently ingest through hand-to-mouth activities.

This option illustrates how common and widespread potential lead sources can be in a child's environment, highlighting the importance of monitoring and reducing lead exposure. In contrast, while occupational activities and direct ingestion of lead components may also pose risks, these are less relevant to typical childhood exposure compared to common household items and environmental factors. Toys can be a source of lead, but they do not encompass the broader range of exposure possibilities as mentioned in this choice.