This work reports the preparation of a voltammetric sensor for selective recognition and sensitive determination of lead ions using a carbon paste electrode (CPE) impregnated with novel Pb2+-ion imprinted polymeric nanobeads (IIP) based on dithizone, as a suitable ligand for complex formation with Pb2+ ions. The differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetric technique was employed to investigate the performance of the prepared IIP-CPE for determination of hazardous lead ions. The designed modified electrode was revealed linear responses in the ranges of 3.0 x 10(-10) - 1.0 x 10(-9) mol dm(-3) and 1.0 x 10(-8) -1.0 x 10(-6) mol dm(-3) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.0 x 10(-10) mol dm(-3) (S/N =3). It was found that the peak currents of the modified electrode for Pb2+ ions were at maximum value in acetate buffer of pH 4.0. The optimized preconcentration potential and accumulation time were to be -1.0 V and 25 s, respectively. The applicability of the proposed sensor to lead determination in tap water and lipstick samples are reported. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.