Lead Levels in Blood Cause Criminal

A study in PLOs Medicine has recently stated levels of metals (lead) in the blood are high on pregnant mothers and in children can potentially lead to criminal behavior when the child is growing up. The study is the first time able to provide evidence empirically.



The researchers analyzed blood lead levels in 250 pregnant women and 250 children aged less than seven years and then seek to do with the data capture of criminal cases obtained from the local government.

"I never expected to find such a devastating impact on the lives of adult children's future" said Kim Dietrich, a researcher and professor of the University of Cincinnati environmental health. He added that the majority of adults aged 20-39 years still have the lead content in the blood at an alarming level.

Blood lead levels in childhood is closely linked to high-called antisocial behavior, low IQ, unfocused, and hyperactivity in later adulthood. Those attitudes can eventually lead to crime.

Dietrich research was part of a larger study conducted from 1979 to determine the effect of blood lead levels (either on maternal or infant) on child growth in subsequent periods. Study sample are those who live in older homes around Cincinnati, USA.

Although the use of lead in some products has been limited, it does not apply the same in every country. Earlier, lead is widely used in paints and brazing process in 1978 and 1986. The United States government itself has begun to prohibit the use of lead in paint to protect children from these dangers. Hopefully, that effort can feel the benefits by 2011.


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