Lead Levels Found in Blood Increase the Risk of Behavioral, Emotional Problems in Children

First Posted: Jul 02, 2014 12:29 AM EDT
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Lead in children's blood may increase their risk of certain behavioral and emotional issues, according to a recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics. Researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found the even low exposure could increase the risk of various health issues. 

"This research focused on lower blood lead levels than most other studies and adds more evidence that there is no safe lead level," said NIEHS (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) Health Scientist Administrator Kimberly Gray, PhD, in a news release. "It is important to continue to study lead exposure in children around the world, and to fully understand short-term and long-term behavioral changes across developmental milestones. It is well-documented that lead exposure lowers the IQ of children."

For the study, researchers examined blood samples from more than 1,300 preschool aged children in China. They measured the blood lead concentration and found about 6.4 micrograms per deciliter, on average.

Though previous studies had only focused on higher levels of lead exposure at about 10 micrograms per deciliter, findings revealed that much lower levels could increase the risk of behavioral and emotional issues. Anything higher than five micrograms per deciliter is still considered above normal, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The study supports early monitoring of this potential health issue through regular doctor's visits.

"Young children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of lead, because lead can affect children's developing nerves and brains," added senior author Jianghong Liu, PhD, from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia. "The sources of lead exposure may explain why concentrations of lead are different. In China, we found that blood lead concentrations increased with age in preschool children. In the United States, however, blood lead concentrations increase with age in children up to 2-3 years old and then decline."

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