A study shows that lead levels now widely believed to be safe in children actually produce a severe impact on intellectual development. The researchers found that a rise in lead levels from 1 mcg/dL to 10 was associated with a 7.4 point drop in IQ. An increase in lead levels from 10 to 30 mcg/dL was associated with an additional drop of only about two to three points. The study was published in
New England Journal of Medicine, April 17, 2003 Vol. 348 No. 16
"Intellectual Impairment in Children with Blood Lead Concentrations below 10 mcg/dL"
"Exposure to Lead in Children - How Low is Low Enough?"
Prenatal & Postnatal