Before 1978, most homes were painted with a lead-based paint. And when paint was scraped off to put on a new coat, paint chippings that fell to the ground would allow lead to seep in to the soil. Lead soil contamination also occurred from older cars that used leaded gas that was phased out in the 1970s. This exposure caused several problems. In some cases, the lead would seep into the water supply from the soil. Second, children who loved to play barefoot outside would step in the soil which led to lead poisoning. Children under the age of six are particularly susceptible to lead poisoning and the effects can be devastating. Many children who have lead poisoning experience behavior and learning problems. Other effects of lead poisoning include stomach problems, fatigue and a metallic taste in the mouth. The only way to tell if lead is in the soil is through soil testing.