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Toxic metals, preconception and early childhood development

Exposure to lead and other heavy metals is now considered a risk factor in fetal and early childhood developmental deficits, premature birth, low cranial circumference, lower IQ, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders (ADD) or hyperactivity (ADHD), and reduced impulse control. Studies suggest that blood lead levels as low as 10 micrograms per deciliter can result in detectable physical, cognitive, and psychobehavioral deficits in children. According to recent CDC findings, the major sources of lead exposure include deteriorated paint in older housing, and dust and soil that are contaminated with lead from old paint and from past emissions of leaded gasoline. Further, the direct effects of poor diet on children's behavior combined with exposure to toxic metals increase the likelihood of attention deficit disorder (ADD), hyperactivity, and other learning deficits. Poor urban populations and minorities are at increased risk for these effects of neurotoxicity, because the problems of poverty and broken families often co-vary with inadequate diet, housing that contains lead paint and water systems that release lead, inadequate prenatal health care, high rates of bottle feeding, and exposure to industrial pollution.

Key Words: Behavioral neurotoxicity • Children's health • Early childhood development • Heavy metals • Lead • Maternal health

Social Science Information, Vol. 38, No. 2, 179-201 (1999)
DOI: 10.1177/053901899038002001


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