DENVER, Co. -- There are lead risks hiding in plain sight in homes and it is not decades-old paint on the walls.

According to a Denver area lead safety expert, warnings of lead tainted toys from China are just the tip of the iceberg.

"Whether it's in paint, or vinyl mini blinds or handbags or anything else, as it ages it sloughs off a microscopic coating of dust. Lead dust," said Neil Staples, inspector and risk assessor for Black Bear Inspections.

"I cried. I sobbed. I had no idea where the lead was," said Denver mother, Amber Callender.

Her daughter Gabriella's blood lead level tested higher than normal at her 1-year old check up.

"It's terrifying and overwhelming," said Callender.

Their family hired a private inspector to test their home.

"We had lead all over our window casings, all over our walls, the floor boards were a mess, the carpet was a mess. It was everywhere," Callender said.

Staples said there is no such thing as a safe lead level and that every parent knows, often a child's favorite play things are not toys at all.

Women's handbags and wallets, for example, have recently come under fire in California where state lead laws restrict lead content in all consumer products.

"If you have a baby on your shoulder and you have your handbag and the baby is mouthing at straps of handbag, they're going to ingest whatever is in it," Staples said.

He also said children can ingest lead in a number of ways, including from residue on their hands.

"This one's probably worth testing," said Callender pulling handbags out of her closet.

She volunteered several of handbags and wallets, including her daughter's favorites.

"You carry that purse a lot?" she asked Gabriella, who clutched several of her mom's purses.

The Call7 Investigators also bought several new handbags from large retailers that tested positive for illegal lead levels in California, but are sold legally in Colorado.

Staples said, you can not tell by looking at an item if it contains lead.

He uses an X-ray gun that can, through fluorescent technology, detect the amount of lead in any item.

Immediately, the handbags tested positive for high lead levels.

"Do you think parents would be shocked to know they could be giving their children something to play with that could be harmful?" Call7 Investigator Theresa Marchetta asked Staples.

"Absolutely. Absolutely," he replied.

He said it is especially concerning because the new federal standard for lead under the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act, only applies to toys and products marketed to children, not every day items kids regularly get their hands on.

"This is .5. This would even be bad as paint on a house. This is high," said Staples while testing a red purse belonging to Callender.

"So, this purse you'd say, is dangerous for a child?" asked Marchetta.

"I would say, yes," Staples said.

Callender's daughter survived one lead scare, but, she did not see this one coming.

"(I) promptly gave them to my daughter and they may not be safe, which is really upsetting," she said.

Callender is hoping their story will inspire other parents to take action.

"We absolutely have to strengthen legislation," she said.

New, federal regulations for lead in children's products are in place, but have been heavily criticized for being too broad.

There is no state lead law in Colorado.

Staples said parents and other adults need to watch children closely and remind them any objects they play with should not be put in their mouths.

He said frequent hand-washing also helps reduce the risk of lead residue on hands getting into mouths.

For more information, check out:

California investigation and studies

PSC, Federal Law

EPA