Lead exposure linked to violent crime

evince

evince

Truthmatters
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-sci-lead28-2008may28,0,2054735.story

By Thomas H. Maugh II and Marla Cone, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
May 28, 2008
The first study to follow lead-exposed children from before birth into adulthood has shown that even relatively low levels of lead permanently damage the brain and are linked to higher numbers of arrests, particularly for violent crime.

Earlier studies linking lead to such problems used indirect measures of both lead and criminality, and critics have argued that socioeconomic and other factors may be responsible for the observed effects.

But by measuring blood levels of lead before birth and during the first seven years of life, then correlating the levels with arrest records and brain size, Cincinnati researchers have produced the strongest evidence yet that lead plays a major role in crime.

The researchers also found that lead exposure is a continuing problem despite the efforts of the federal government and cities to minimize exposure.

The average lead levels in the study "unfortunately are still seen in many thousands of children throughout the United States," said Philip J. Landrigan, director of the Center for Children's Health and the Environment at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.
 
Desh, did the article say where this study was published, and whether they considered other factors (SES, family history of illegal activity, education levels, etc.) at least as covariates?

I can see how lead would lead to diminished brain function, including impaired reasoning capacity, but the environmental factors that probably accompany the likelihood of prolonged exposure to lead most certainly would have significant roles as well.
 
Thanks. They didn't address those other issues, which is unfortunate because all those factors were readily available to note at the intervals they took blood samples.

This is nevertheless a correlational study and although it may point to further research to determine potential causes, no conclusions may be made about causation based on these findings. The data simply don't support that.
 
People with lower IQs are generally far more likely to commit crimes. The lead disturbing their intelligence is probably at least a large correlating factor here, Thorn.
 
I think it helps explain alot of very sad conditions.

Toxic exposure, bad schools, harsh living enviroments and stressed out families all combine to add to the reasons poor inner cities are not good places for kids to grow up.
 
Another study showed that children growing up in high traffic vehicle exhaust areas had stunted lungs.

Big cities suck. just my opinion though :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top