(HealthDay News) -- Lead -- a highly toxic metal -- may lurk in your home, your workplace or at your child's school.

A prime source of exposure is lead-based paint, which was banned for use in U.S. housing in 1978. But buildings constructed before that year may still contain lead.

The Environmental Protection Agency says other potential sources of lead include:

• Coming into contact with dust particles containing lead, often from home/office renovations or repairs in older buildings.
• Consuming food or water contaminated with lead.
• Practicing a hobby in which lead is used.
• Being exposed to older products such as batteries, ammunition, devices to shield against X-ray radiation, some ceramic products, caulking and pipe solder.