As reported on MedPage Today, a recent study found that blood lead levels at least 50% below the currently recommended Center for Disease Control level were associated with greater anti-social behavior and poorer standardized test scores in children.
The reason children are particularly at risk for problems stemming from lead exposure is that the metal is more readily absorbed in their developing bodies and tissues. As researchers explained, kids absorb up to 50% of the lead they take in, as compared with adults who absorb only about 10% to 15%. Once in the body, lead tends to affect the peripheral nervous system in adults but can do permanent damage to the central nervous system in children.
