Growth, physical LEAD EXPOSURE

Kim R, Hu H, Rotnitzky A, et al. 1995. A longitudinal study of chronic lead exposure and physical growth in Boston children. Environ Health Perspect 103 952-957. 

Lyngbye T, Hansen ON, Grandjean P. 1987. The influence of environmental factors on physical growth in school age A study of low level lead exposure. In Lindberg SE, Hutchinson TC, eds. International Conference on Heavy Metals in the Environment, Vol. 2, New Orleans, LA, September. Edinburgh, UK CEP Consultants, Ltd. 210-212. 

In an interim study of 185 innercity infants in Cincinnati, Ohio, we previously reported (Dietrich et al, 1986) an Indirect adverse effect of prenatal lead exposure on the 6-month Bayley MDI and Psychomotor Development Index (PDI). The effect was mediated by lead-related deficits in foetal growth (birth weight) and maturation (gestational age by physical examination). These relationships are illustrated by the structural equation model shown in Figure 1. 

Soil can be severely damaged by hazardous waste substances. Such materials may alter the physical and chemical properties of soil and thus its ability to support plants. Some of the more catastrophic incidents in which soil has been damaged by exposure to hazardous materials have arisen from soil contamination from SO2 anitted from copper or lead smelters or from brines from petroleum production. Both of these contaminants stop the growth of plants and, without the binding effects of viable plant root systems, topsoil is rapidly lost by erosion. 

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