Environmental lead and children's intelligence: a systematic review of the epidemiological evidence

Pocock, Stuart J.; Smith, Matthew; Baghurst, Peter

doi:10.1136/bmj.309.6963.1189

Cited by 388 publications

(236 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…The strength of this association and its time course have been observed to be similar in multiple studies in several countries. 23 In most countries, including the United States, blood lead concentrations peak at approximately 2 years of age and then decrease without intervention. Blood lead concentration is associated with lower IQ scores as IQ becomes testable reliably, which is at approximately 5 years of age.…”

Section: Subclinical Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lead Exposure in Children: Prevention, Detection, and Management

Shannon¹,

Best²,

Binns³

et al. 2005

Pediatrics

234

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ABSTRACT. Fatal lead encephalopathy has disappeared and blood lead concentrations have decreased in US children, but approximately 25% still live in housing with deteriorated lead-based paint and are at risk of lead exposure with resulting cognitive impairment and other sequelae. Evidence continues to accrue that commonly encountered blood lead concentrations, even those less than 10 g/dL, may impair cognition, and there is no threshold yet identified for this effect. Most US children are at sufficient risk that they should have their blood lead concentration measured at least once. There is now evidence-based guidance available for managing children with increased lead exposure. Housing stabilization and repair can interrupt exposure in most cases. The focus in childhood lead-poisoning policy, however, should shift from case identification and management to primary prevention, with a goal of safe housing for all children.

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Section: Subclinical Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lead Exposure in Children: Prevention, Detection, and Management

Shannon¹,

Best²,

Binns³

et al. 2005

Pediatrics

234

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…By the end of 2002, the majority of human data indicated that there were persistent and deleterious effects of BPb levels above 10 µg/dl on children's brain function, including lowered intelligence, behavioral problems and diminished school performance [76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83] ; whereas, German researchers, who evaluated 24 selected publications in a meta-analysis 84,85) , concluded that neurobehavioral deficits due to lead exposure in adults were associated with average BPb levels between 37 and 52 µg/dl. Thereafter, Canfield et al reported that BPb levels, even those below 10 µg/dl, were inversely associated with children's intelligence quotient (IQ) scores at 3 and 5 yr of age, and that associated declines in IQ were greater at these levels than at higher levels 4) .…”

Section: Recent Perspective On Lead Toxicity In Childrenmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lead Toxicity: Does the Critical Level of Lead Resulting in Adverse Effects Differ between Adults and Children?

Murata

Iwata

Dakeishi

et al. 2009

Journal of Occupational Health

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µg/dl for industrial workers and 5 µg/dl for children. To examine whether the critical level of lead producing adverse effects truly differs between workers and children, we provided an overview of studies addressing the critical level of lead in workers, together with a perspective on lead toxicity in children. Data sources and extraction: In 25 reports published in English with keywords of "benchmark dose (BMD)," "lead" and "humans," only five studies proved to be relevant to lead toxicity. Four more studies with figures illustrating significant relationships between lead and neurotoxic outcomes were selected. Data synthesis: Based on data from previous reports using a BMD approach, the critical organ of lead in workers was thought to be the nervous system and the critical BPb level (numberweighted mean) was between 10.7 and 17.5 µg/dl. The neurotoxic effects of lead exposure at such levels seemed reversible. The BPb level at which leadassociated intellectual deficits occurred in children was as low as the critical level of BPb (below 5 µg/dl) for inhibited heme synthesis in workers. Conclusions: The neurotoxic effects of lead in workers appear to be initiated at BPb levels below 18 µg/dl, which are somewhat higher than the critical level of lead neurotoxicity in children. Each national institute for risk Review management should take evidence-based preventive action against subclinical lead poisoning in workers, as well as in children. (J Occup Health 2009; 51: 1-12)

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“…A number of epidemiologic studies done since the 1980s have revealed that Pb impairs normal development of cognitive functions of children [1]. Exposure to Pb has been related to lower intelligence quotient (IQ) [2], poor academic achievement [3], and delinquent behavior [4]. Moreover, concern has recently been raised that adverse effects are seen at exposure levels lower than were considered safe in the past [5,6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blood lead levels of contemporary Japanese children

Yoshinaga

Takagi

Yamasaki

et al. 2011

Environ Health Prev Med

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Objectives Lead concentrations in whole blood (BPb) of Japanese children were measured to obtain insight into the sources of variation and to estimate health risk. Methods Blood samples were taken from 352 children (aged 1-14 years) at pediatric clinics/hospitals in 3 regions of Japan (Tokyo, Shizuoka, and Osaka) during [2005][2006] (Shizuoka only) and 2008-2010 (3 regions), and BPb was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after acid digestion. Results Geometric mean BPb of the 352 children was 1.07 lg/dL, among the lowest in the world. Based on this result, the probability of exceeding BPb 10 lg/dL, the action level proposed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in general Japanese children was estimated to be negligible. There was a significant negative correlation between BPb and age, while sex difference was not significant. BPb was significantly lower in subjects in Tokyo than in the other two regions. Age-adjusted mean BPb was significantly higher in children with a family member who smoked in their presence than in those who did not have such a family member, indicating that passive smoking had a significant effect on BPb.Conclusions Health risk of lead exposure is minimal in Japanese children. To lower the exposure level further, reduction of passive smoking is suggested as one of the effective measures.

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Environmental lead and children's intelligence: a systematic review of the epidemiological evidence

Cited by 388 publications

References 26 publications

Lead Exposure in Children: Prevention, Detection, and Management

Lead Exposure in Children: Prevention, Detection, and Management

Lead Toxicity: Does the Critical Level of Lead Resulting in Adverse Effects Differ between Adults and Children?

Blood lead levels of contemporary Japanese children

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