What is it? Lead poisoning is the elevation of lead within the body. Any child with an Elevated Blood Lead Level (EBL) higher than 5 micrograms per deciliter is considered to be at risk and health actions should be made. Potential Sources of Lead Exposure Deteriorating lead-based paint is identified as the most probable cause of elevated blood lead levels in people in the vast majority of ODH’s environmental assessments. Elevated lead levels in drinking water is rarely the mo