Bird deaths caused by lead poisoning have evoked investigation on several ports in Australia. Initial tests and visit to Geraldton port by the Western Australian state government’s Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) showed levels of lead that required further investigation.

The world’s largest toy company, Mattel Inc., recalls millions of its toys made from China after finding magnets and lead paint in them.

Thirty three brand-name red lipsticks were tested by the Bodycote Testing Group in California. They found more than half contained lead levels of 0.03 to 0.65 ppm.

For the first time in 30 years, the US Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to further reduce the amount of lead in the air. While leaded gasoline is history, about 1,300 tons of lead a year is emitted into the air from smelters, iron and steel foundries, and general aviation gasoline, the EPA estimates. Once it is airborne, lead can be inhaled. Or, after it settles out of the air onto surfaces, lead can be ingested – the main route of human exposure. Once in the body, lead is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and can affect many organ systems.