Lead is a toxic heavy metal that can cause serious health issues if it builds up in the body over time. Young children are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning from environmental sources like old paint, contaminated soil, or dust. Lead was also commonly used in gasoline, plumbing, and industrial applications in the past. While regulations have reduced lead exposure from many products, lead poisoning remains a public health concern today.
Clothes and other textiles can potentially pick up traces of lead from contaminated environments. Someone working around lead paint or leaded gasoline, for example, may get small amounts of lead dust on their clothes, shoes, and accessories. Children playing in lead-contaminated soil are another example. So a natural question is whether you can simply wash lead residues off of clothing and other textiles to remove this potential source of exposure.
Does washing remove lead from clothes?
Washing clothes, even with detergent, does not completely remove all lead contamination. Studies show that while washing significantly reduces the amount of lead, it does not eliminate it entirely.
One study found that hand washing clothes from occupational exposure reduced the amount of lead by 92.9%. Machine washing with detergent removed 96.6%. But in both cases, detectable amounts of lead remained on the clothing. Other research has confirmed these findings, with normal laundry routines removing most but not all lead residues.
So while washing will dramatically lower lead levels on clothes, it doesn’t make them lead free. The small amounts remaining could still potentially get onto skin or be ingested with further wear and washing. For this reason, completely removing lead contaminated clothes is recommended.
Factors that affect lead removal
Several factors impact how much lead gets removed in the wash:
Type of fabric
The type of fabric makes a difference. Research finds cotton, denim, and twill fabrics release lead residues easier than polyester and acrylic fabrics when washed. Fabrics with smoother surfaces tend to retain less lead than rough or porous fabrics.
Water temperature
Hotter water removes more lead than colder water. Washing in hot or warm water eliminates more lead than washing in cold or cool water.
Detergent type
Studies show that synthetic detergents remove lead more efficiently than soap- or oil-based detergents. Lead binds to oils, so detergents that can emulsify and remove oils do better at lead removal.
Water softness
Hard water reduces lead removal. The minerals in hard water can bind to lead and to soap, reducing the cleaning action. Softened water allows detergents to work more effectively.
Alkaline conditions
Detergents work better at removing lead residues in alkaline conditions. Slightly basic pH levels allow more lead to be solubilized and washed away.
Agitation and rinsing
Agitation helps dislodge more lead particles from fabric during washing. Thorough rinsing is also important to flush away the loosened lead rather than redeposit it. Machine washing provides more consistent agitation and rinsing than hand washing.
Repeated washing
With each additional wash cycle, more lead is removed. For heavily contaminated clothes, washing multiple times is more effective at reducing lead levels than a single wash cycle.
Steps for washing lead contaminated clothes
If you suspect clothes or other textiles have been contaminated with lead, here are some best practices for washing:
– Wash items separately from other clothes to avoid cross-contamination.
– Pre-treat heavily soiled areas to help lift and remove lead dust.
– Wash using the hottest water safe for the fabric.
– Use a synthetic detergent, not soap-based.
– For hard water, use a water softening agent.
– Wash garments multiple times for heavy contamination.
– Check garment tags and wash gently where needed. Agitate when possible.
– Rinse thoroughly.
– Check clothes after washing – if dirt/dust is still visible, wash again.
– Replace clothes that are worn, damaged, or have been washed extensively.
– Discard heavily contaminated clothes rather than try to salvage them.
Washing can reduce but not fully eliminate lead on clothes. Special precautions may also be needed for those at high risk for lead poisoning, like children or pregnant women. Contact your local health department for guidance on lead exposure, testing, and prevention.
Other methods to remove lead from clothes
While washing works to a certain extent, other methods can be more effective at removing lead from clothing and textiles:
HEPA vacuuming
Using a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter vacuum can help remove lead dust on clothes prior to washing. HEPA vacuums capture very small particles that normal vacuums would simply recirculate. Take care not to re-spread lead dust during vacuuming.
Dry chemical cleaning
Commercial dry cleaners use chemical solvents other than water to clean clothes. The U.S. EPA recommends dry chemical cleaning for lead-contaminated clothes over home washing. Chemical cleaners can access lead residues that may bind inside fibers.
UV light
Ultraviolet (UV) light has been researched for its ability to degrade and deactivate lead compounds. UV treatment may help remove lead from textiles that cannot be washed or submerged in liquid. Results vary based on the fabric, lead levels, and UV dose.
Chelation
Chelating agents are chemicals that bind to heavy metals like lead. Some chelators have been applied to fabrics contaminated with lead to improve removal. Additional rinsing is required to flush away lead chelates. More research is needed to confirm chelators’ usefulness for cleaning lead residues on textiles.
Ozone treatment
Ozone gas is a strong oxidizing agent that can react with contaminants like lead. Some dry cleaners use ozone treatment to help remove chemical residues from fabrics. Ozonation may aid in reducing lead levels beyond normal washing but also requires further study.
Discarding lead-contaminated clothes
For textiles with heavy lead contamination, the only sure way to avoid exposure is to discard them. Cast-off lead-tainted fabrics then become hazardous waste that should be handed properly. Options include:
Municipal household hazardous waste
Check if your local government or waste agency accepts household hazardous waste. Residents may be able to drop off lead contaminated textiles at designated collection sites or events. Not all programs take all forms of hazardous waste.
RCRA hazardous waste landfill
Clothes with lead residue exceeding regulatory limits would require disposal as RCRA hazardous waste. A licensed facility treats and landfills hazardous waste to prevent pollution risks. Small amounts from households may be exempted.
Incineration
High temperature incinerators destroy hazardous materials including lead-contaminated fabrics. Municipal solid waste incinerators are not suitable. Controlled incineration prevents lead releases into the air.
Textile recycling
Normal textile recycling programs cannot accept lead-tainted fabrics. Conventional clothing donation bins and thrift shops will not have processes to identify, clean or dispose of lead contamination. Do not place lead contaminated textiles into standard recycling streams.
Proper disposal protects workers at charities, recycling facilities and waste disposal sites from inadvertent lead exposure. Check with environmental authorities to confirm suitable disposal options in your region.
Preventing lead exposure from clothes
The most effective approach is to prevent clothes from becoming tainted with lead in the first place. Strategies include:
– Avoid wearing clothes into areas with lead contamination like construction sites, contaminated soils, or lead abatement projects.
– Change out of work uniforms before returning home if exposure is possible.
– Store street clothes and shoes separately from lead-exposed work gear and equipment.
– Shower immediately after potential lead exposure and wash exposed skin including hair.
– Keep children away from potential lead hazards in older homes, contaminated soils, hobby activities like soldering or shooting, etc.
– Test your home for lead-based paint hazards, and abate if recommended.
– Have children’s lead blood levels checked beginning around ages 1 and 2.
Following precautions like these can help avoid lead ending up on your clothing. Stopping the contamination at its source is the most reliable method.
Conclusion
While washing clothes will remove some amount of lead residue, it will not completely eliminate lead contamination. The most definitive way to avoid exposure from lead-tainted fabrics is to properly dispose of them. Dry cleaning with chemical solvents seems to work better than home washing for reducing lead in clothes and textiles. Preventing lead from getting onto clothes in the first place remains the best strategy through awareness, precautions, and abatement of environmental lead sources. Regular blood lead testing of children can catch excessive exposures early. Take sensible steps to keep lead from landing on your clothing and adopt rigorous cleaning or disposal methods for any items that do become contaminated.