Aggregate-level lead exposure, gun violence, homicide, and rape.

ABSTRACT:

Context

An increasing body of research has linked the geographic distribution of lead with various indicators of criminal and antisocial behavior.

Objective

The current study, using data from an ongoing project related to lead exposure in St. Louis City, MO, analyzed the association between aggregate blood lead levels and specific indicators violent crime within the city.

Design

Ecological study.

Setting

St. Louis, Missouri.

Exposure measure

Blood lead levels.

Main outcome measure

Official reports of violent crimes were categorized as 1) crimes involving a firearm (yes/no), 2) assault crimes (with or without a firearm), 3) robbery crimes (with or without a firearm), 4) homicides and 5) rape.

Results

With the exception of rape, aggregate blo

SUBMITTER: Boutwell BB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5703470 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature