Burden of higher lead exposure in African-Americans starts in utero and persists into childhood.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recent public health lead crises in urban areas emphasize the need to better understand exposure to environmental toxicants, particularly in higher risk groups. Although African-American children have the highest prevalence of elevated blood lead levels in the United States, little is known about when this trajectory of disproportionate burden of lead exposure first emerges.

Objectives

Using tooth-matrix biomarkers that directly measure fetal and early childhood metal levels, the primary goal of this study was to determine if there were racial disparities in lead levels during fetal development and early childhood. Manganese, an essential nutrient that modifies the neurotoxic effects of lead, was also measured.

Methods

Pregnant women served by the Henry For

SUBMITTER: Cassidy-Bushrow AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5623116 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature