Ingredient · Updated October 2026

Lead

Positive in 21 products Flagged in 1

Found in 22 productsSee all

Delta Clarifi Tankless Under Sink 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis System

Aquasana SmartFlow Reverse Osmosis

AO Smith High-Efficiency Reverse Osmosis

Epic Nalgene Outdoor OG Woodsman Water Filter Bottle

Epic Escape Glass Bottle Filter

Bluedot x bkr Kit Filter Bottle

Epic Smart Shield

Berkey Water Bottle Filter

What is Lead?

Lead is a naturally occurring metal found in the Earth's crust. It is soft, malleable, and has been used historically in a variety of products, including paint, pipes, and gasoline.

Lead is not intentionally added to food or water products, but it can contaminate these through environmental exposure, such as aging pipes and industrial pollution. High exposure to lead can be toxic, affecting several body systems, particularly in children.

When you see lead mentioned on a label, it usually refers to its presence as a contaminant that products aim to filter out, rather than an additive.

Commonly found in: Sink Filters, Home Filters, Cat Food

What to watch

Lead can cause developmental issues in children, including learning disabilities and behavioral problems.
In adults, lead exposure can increase the risk of high blood pressure and kidney damage.

FDA

The FDA regulates the allowable levels of lead in products and advises on minimizing exposure to protect consumers.

Research

Numerous studies link lead exposure to negative health outcomes, especially concerning in early childhood development.

Vegan

Lead is not derived from animals and is not a concern from a vegan perspective, though its presence is undesirable for health reasons.

Sources: Lead in Food, Foodwares, and Dietary Supplements

Scout's take

The filter reduces lead by 99%, which is critical as lead exposure can lead to serious health issues, especially in children.

More from Scout's analyses

The filter is capable of removing over 60% of lead, a heavy metal that poses serious health risks, especially to children.

from the analysis of Bluedot x bkr Kit Filter Bottle

Lead reduction is at 99.3%, which is crucial as lead can cause serious health issues, especially in children.

from the analysis of InSinkErator F-2000S Water Filtration System

The OptimH2O system is tested and certified to reduce lead, which is crucial as lead exposure can lead to serious health issues, especially in children. The reduction percentage is not specified, but it is expected to be over 60%.

from the analysis of Aquasana OptimH2O Whole House Filtration System