Cognitive, neuropsychological, and behavioral effects of low-level lead exposure in childhood

Abstract

This is a literature review about low-level lead exposure and its effects on children. Although the current  World Health Organization blood level of concern stands at 10 mg/dL, numerous prospective and crosssectional studies have extended the association of blood lead and developmental impairment to lower levels of lead exposure. During early childhood, there is a positive association between prenatal lowlevel lead exposure and cognitive deficits. There is also a negative correlation between current blood lead level and cognitive performance. Low-level lead exposure in early childhood predicts cognitive and academic underachievement years later. During the school years, low-level lead exposure is concurrently associated to impairments in academic achievement, attention, and several neuropsychological functions. Recent investigations have detected a relationship between lead exposure and behavior problems in children. The evidence points to the neuropsychological and adaptive risks of low-level lead exposure during early and middle childhood and suggests that there is no safety margin at existing exposures. Harm is greater in very small concentrations, below the current WHO level of concern, thus indicating the need for prevention efforts.