Childhood maltreatment and lead levels in middle adulthood: A prospective examination of the roles of individual socio-economic and neighborhood characteristics

Abstract

Background Lead is a common environmental hazard because of its past use as an additive to gasoline and household paint. Some evidence suggests that children with histories of child abuse and neglect are at elevated risk for residence in communities and households with less desirable characteristics and high levels of exposure to environmental hazards and toxins. Objectives To understand whether childhood maltreatment leads to higher levels of household dust lead and blood lead in adulthood and the extent to which characteristics of a person’s physical environment or individual level socio-economic status (SES) (based on unemployment, poverty, and receipt of public assistance) contribute to understanding the relationship. Methods A large prospective cohort design study in which abused and neglected children (ages 0–11) were matched with non-maltreated children and assessed in adulthood. Objective and subjective neighborhood characteristics were assessed at approximate age 40 and household dust lead (cleaned and less often cleaned) and blood lead levels were measured at age 41. Blood was collected through venipuncture by a registered nurse as part of a medical status exam. Results Childhood maltreatment predicted higher levels of dust lead in less often cleaned household places, residence in worse neighborhoods defined by objective (census tract data) and subjective (reports of physical disorder and lack of social cohesion and control), and higher levels of poverty, receiving public assistance, and unemployment. Only objective neighborhood characteristics mediated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and dust lead level in adulthood. There were also significant paths from objective neighborhood disadvantage and individual level SES to higher levels of blood lead. Discussion Thirty years after their childhood experiences, individuals with documented histories of childhood maltreatment are at higher risk for living in environments as adults with elevated lead levels that may impact other aspects of their lives and compromise their health.

Childhood Maltreatment, Blood Lead Levels, and Crime and Violence: A Prospective Examination

“…This work builds on previously published research and specifically on a paper on the relationship between childhood maltreatment and lead ( 37 ). The description of the methods of this study are similar to those published previously ( 44 ).…”

“…Most current lead exposure comes from lead-contaminated house dust from lead paint left over from previous years or from soil brought into the home ( 35 , 36 ). Recent research indicates that maltreated children are at increased risk of residence in adulthood in households with higher levels of dust lead and in more disadvantaged neighborhoods ( 37 ).…”

Mothers susceptible to child maltreatment and requiring public health nurses’ continuous support

“…Since parents play the role of guardians, their socioeconomic status, psychopathology, and histories of trauma and child maltreatment are essential factors that affect child maltreatment (Arai et al., 2021; Avdibegović & Brkić, 2020; Bunting et al., 2018; Montgomery et al., 2019; Mulder et al., 2018). Child maltreatment may have a lifelong impact on the child's physical health, psychosocial outcomes, and in the long term, it is related to higher levels of poverty and unemployment (Carpi et al., 2020; Dagnino et al., 2020). Therefore, supporting newborns and their parents in the early postpartum period is crucial to prevent child maltreatment in the community (WHO, 2012).…”