Early childhood lead exposure and the persistence of educational consequences into adolescence.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There is consensus that early childhood lead exposure causes adverse cognitive and behavioral effects, even at blood lead levels (BLL) below 5 μg/dL. What has not been established is to what extent the effects of childhood lead exposure persist across grades.

Objective

To measure the effects of early childhood lead exposure (BLL 1-10 μg/dL) on educational performance from grades 3-8; to determine if effects in lower grades persist as a child progresses through school; and if so, to characterize the pattern of persistence.

Methods

We examine data from 560,624 children living in North Carolina between 2000 and 2012 with a BLL ≤10 μg/dL measured between age 0-5 years. Children are matched to their standardized math and reading scores for grades 3-8, creating a

SUBMITTER: Shadbegian R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7038535 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature