- Lead is dangerous and harms children's growth and health.
- It builds up and stays in human tissue for years.
- Researchers studied human hair from long ago and today.
- They used samples from one region near Utah cities.
- Some hair came from family scrapbooks saved long ago.
- Hair can keep lead on its surface for years.
- Scientists tested single hairs to find lead.
- Tests show big drops after 1970s rules.
- Those rules reduced lead in the environment.
- The change helps protect children's health now.
Difficult words
- lead — A heavy metal that can make people sick
- tissue — Parts inside the body such as skin and muscle
- researcher — A person who studies and tests thingsResearchers
- sample — A small piece taken for study or testsamples
- surface — The outside part of something like hair
- environment — The air, land, and water around people
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you have old family scrapbooks?
- Do you think rules about lead help children?
- Have you seen hair used in a science test?
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