- Posted
- May 29, 2008
Study finds direct link between childhood lead exposure and increased risk for criminal behavior
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have been following a cohort of children who were exposed to high blood lead levels during their prental or early childhood years for the past 30 years (Source:
| "Childhood Lead Exposure Associated With Criminal Behavior in Adulthood," UC Health News, May 27, 2008). |
A new study on this cohort has found a direct link between childhood lead exposure and an increased rate of arrests for criminal behavior. The association was strongest between childhood lead exposure and violent crime.
Kim Dietrich, project director for this study, notes that while reductions in lead levels have taken place, "lower income, inner-city children remain particularly vulnerable to lead exposure. Although we’ve made great strides in reducing lead exposure, our findings send a clear message that further reduction of childhood lead exposure may be an important and achievable way to reduce violent crime."
The strength of the association between childhood lead exposure and criminal behavior as an adult was stronger than the researchers had expected. According to John Wright, a coauthor on the study, I did not expect we would see an effect, much less a substantive effect and even less likely a highly resilient effect. The fact that we are able to detect the effects from childhood exposures now into adulthood stands as a testament of lead’s power to influence behavior over a long period of time.”
A second study by other researchers working on this project adds some insights into the link to criminal behavior (Source: "Decreased brain volumes in adults with childhood lead exposure," PLOS Medicine, May 27, 2008). This study examined the relationship between childhood lead exposure and adult brain volume using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It found that "childhood lead exposure is associated with region-specific reductions in adult gray matter volume," especially among males.
Previous research by Dietrich also found an association between childhood lead exposure and increased rates of accidential injuries among teenagers (Source: "Childhood Lead Exposure Linked to Increased Injuries as Teens," UC Health News, October 2, 2006).
