If you think leaded avgas is bad (it is), wait until you learn about lead-based stabilizer compounds in PVC (which is used in electrical cables and pipes/hoses, among other things). Those compounds aren't even chemically bonded with the actual PVC molecules, so the lead eagerly leaches out. Also there's lead in brass keys and in brass faucets (yes, even the ones marked "lead free", when it comes to potable water piping/fixtures, "lead free" actually means "0.25% lead").
AFAIK there's no regulation in US that will force reformulation with lead-free compounds (which do exist), the best the US has is California's Prop 65, which provides a bunch of useless labels which people are trained to ignore. What a disaster.
> when it comes to potable water piping/fixtures, "lead free" actually means "0.25% lead"
It's a fucking farce that any lead is ever allowed to be purposely added to plumbing materials labeled "lead free". However, nowadays most such labeled materials actually are lead-free. All the big brass suppliers -- Concast, Chase, Viega, Mueller, others -- produce actual lead-free brass and bronze, with no more than trace and incidental amounts of lead.
> AFAIK there's no regulation in US that will force reformulation with lead-free compounds
Correct, nothing nation-wide, although companies that sell stuff to the EU often make RoHS/REACH compliant lead-free products for all markets, simply as a matter of efficiency.
You're also right, Prop 65 is a great example of smart and necessary idea that was crafted into a useless law. Labels without any actual market restrictions are an invitation to gaming by manufacturers, and apathy by consumers.
AFAIK there's no regulation in US that will force reformulation with lead-free compounds (which do exist), the best the US has is California's Prop 65, which provides a bunch of useless labels which people are trained to ignore. What a disaster.