From the Guidelines
Lead in keys is generally not a significant health concern for most people, as the risk of lead exposure from handling keys is minimal. Keys are typically made of brass, which may contain small amounts of lead, but simply touching keys doesn't typically transfer enough lead to cause health problems 1. However, young children who might put keys in their mouth could potentially be exposed to lead this way, as lead is particularly dangerous for children and can affect brain development, causing learning and behavior problems 1. For adults, occasional handling of keys poses virtually no risk. If you're concerned about lead exposure from keys, washing hands after handling them, keeping keys away from children, and avoiding putting keys in your mouth are simple precautions.
Some key points to consider:
- Lead is harmful when ingested or inhaled, and young children are more susceptible to lead exposure due to their normal mouthing behaviors and increasing mobility 1.
- Modern manufacturing has also reduced lead content in many consumer products, including keys, compared to older items.
- The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines lead-based paint as an XRF reading ≥1 μg/cm2 or 5000 ppm of lead in a paint chip, but this is more relevant to housing units than consumer products like keys 1.
- Research has shown that children's physical and mental development can be affected at blood lead levels (BLLs) <10 µg/dL, highlighting the importance of minimizing lead exposure 1.
Overall, while keys may contain some lead, they don't represent a significant source of lead exposure for most people under normal use conditions. To minimize any potential risk, it's still important to follow simple precautions like washing hands after handling keys and keeping them away from young children.
From the Research
Lead Exposure from Keys
- The amount of lead in keys can be a health problem, as keys are known sources of lead exposure, particularly for children 2.
- A study found that the mean lead concentration in 362 keys and keychain objects was 1722 ppm, with 64% of objects tested containing lead 2.
- Door keys had the highest concentration of lead, with a mean of 2646 ppm, and were significantly more likely to contain lead than vehicle keys and electronic fobs 2.
Health Risks of Lead Exposure
- Exposure to lead has been linked to various health problems, including increased risk of hypertension, cognitive impairment, and developmental delays 3, 4.
- A study found that locksmiths had significantly higher blood lead concentrations and tibia lead concentrations than their matched controls, indicating increased exposure to lead 3.
- Chronic lead toxicity can cause significant morbidity, and treatment with chelating agents such as succimer may be effective in reducing lead levels, but may also have adverse effects in the absence of lead exposure 5, 4.
Prevention and Regulation
- Public education and additional regulatory guidelines may be necessary to reduce lead exposure from keys 2.
- Some studies suggest that chelation therapy may be effective in reducing lead levels, but more research is needed to fully understand the risks and benefits of treatment 4, 6.
- Regulatory limits on lead in keys, such as those implemented in Minnesota, may help to reduce exposure, but more needs to be done to protect public health 2.