Attention deficits from lead exposure

The prospective studies and their results are the best evidence to date for low-level lead effects on IQ, attention deficits, and indicators for later educational and social performance. These studies show a more robust lead—IQ relationship than is apparent from cross-sectional data, and the robustness is linked to the segment of the dose/exposure curve, as is apparent in the internationally pooled analysis by Lanphear et al. (2005). Equally important, these studies show lead effects persisting to older ages in children and there may well be irreversible effects. 

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