According to a new study published in the online version of the Archives of Disease in Childhood, even small levels of lead in the blood had a “significant effect” on reading, writing, spelling, and antisocial behaviour.

The figure of concern is 10 micrograms per decilitre, a figure which the World Health Organization believes is the lead level of half of the children living in cities and towns around the world.

As a result of the study, the British Health Protection Agency is “planning to work with the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit to determine the number of children in the UK and Ireland each year that are found by doctors to have raised levels of lead in their blood.”, said a spokesperson. More on British efforts at the Telegraph.

Action for North Americans is probably not far behind, but if you want to be proactive, you can have blood tests done by your children’s doctor, after which they can make proper medical recommendations for reducing lead levels in the blood.

Playing in dirt is a possible source of lead contamination, as is old flaking paint in the home. Alternative medicines have been listed as another possible lead contamination source, so if you are giving your children any herbal remedies investigate the possible lead content with the manufacturer before continuing to do so. More at Google News.

Tags: lead affects IQ in children, lead levels in children, lead poisoning, toxic lead levels

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