I saw this story a while back about lead exposure and developmental problems. In previous studies, research has shown that children with high levels of lead in their blood had more problems as juveniles. Now this newer study follows this connection all the way to the adult level.
The new research shows that exposure to lead from birth through age 7 significantly increased the chances of having an adult criminal record. In this new study, researchers looked at lead exposure as child and the probability of eventually having an adult criminal record. There was also a significant connection between lead exposure and violent crime in particular.
This is a very sad situation. Lead paint in homes was phased out many years ago, but there are still older homes that contain lead. This may be particularly true in poorer neighborhoods where the housing stock is quite dated.
The CDC has a campaign underway to reduce elevated blood lead levels in all children by 2010. More information on this program is available here. The sooner this problem is removed, the better for everyone.
