Lead Exposure and Its Effects on Child Development
Although lead exposure in childhood is less common now than in the past, 3% of children in the US have elevated lead levels. And many parents may remember the numerous children exposed to lead relatively recently in Flint Michigan. Exposure to lead during childhood increases the risk for diminished intellectual and academic abilities, higher rates of neurobehavioral disorders and attention deficits, and lower birth weight in children. In this episode we discuss possible sources for lead exposure in childhood, routine screening for elevated lead levels, preventing lead exposure, and treatment of elevated lead levels.
This episode written by Drs. van der List and Blumberg
Additional resources:
- Healthy Children Lead Exposure: Steps to Protect Your Family
- Mona Hanna-Attisha What the Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City
- American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Prevention of Childhood Lead Toxicity
Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma State Department of Health
