Blood-lead levels and children's behaviour--results from the Edinburgh Lead Study.
The effect of blood-lead on children's behaviour was investigated in a sub-sample of 501 boys and girls aged 6-9 years from 18 primary schools within a defined area of central Edinburgh. Behaviour ratings of the children were made by teachers and parents using the Rutter behaviour scales. An extensive home interview with a parent was also carried out. Multiple regression analyses showed a significant relationship between log blood-lead and teachers' ratings on the total Rutter score and the aggressive/anti-social and hyperactive sub-scores, but not the neurotic sub-score when 30 possible confounding variables were taken into account. There was a dose-response relationship between blood-lead and behaviour ratings, with no evidence of a threshold.
Thomson
G O
GO
Department of Education, University of Edinburgh, U.K.
Raab
G M
GM
Hepburn
W S
WS
Hunter
R
R
Fulton
M
M
Laxen
D P
DP
D000374:Aggression / Q000139:chemically induced; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000139:chemically induced; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology*; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D012307:Risk Factors; D012606:Scotland; D012931:Social Environment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology*
D007854:Lead