Do not burn painted wood since it may contain lead.

It took such a long time because the old paint contained lead and had to be carefully removed.

Youngsters are also at risk because they put things in their mouth which may contain lead.

Most well and city water does not usually contain lead.

Often, those hands are contaminated with dust that contains lead.

"All walls and ceilings in schools built before 1980 should be assumed to contain lead."

He said that toys containing lead should not be entering the European market.

Many of the school buildings are a century old, he said, and the water in their pipes may have contained lead for decades.

"I love even the paint chips that come down from the ceiling and probably contain lead."

Petrol which contains lead is no longer allowed in this country.