Environmental exposures (Lead, tobacco) in ADHD
Environmental exposures do matter. Even relatively low levels of lead and second hand tobacco smoke may be putting our children at risk. A recent study in Environmental Health Perspectives showed a significant link with environmental exposures to lead and tobacco smoke among children diagnosed with ADHD. Authors quote a 4-fold increase risk of ADHD in children with blood lead levels > 2.0 ug/dL. This number is shocking since “normal” lead levels are generally considered to be 0-9.0 ug/dL. This research is showing children can suffer neurologic effects at very low levels of lead exposure that would be consider well into the “normal” range. The risk of ADHD in children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke was increased 2.5 times over children not exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. Although genetics are the major factor in ADHD, this research suggests that up to 32% of ADHD cases may be attributable to lead and tobacco smoke exposures. http://www.healthsentinel.com/org_news.php?id=118&title=Half+a+million+cases+of+children+with+ADHD+linked+to+lead+exposure+and+environmental+tobacco+smoke&event=org_news_print_list_item
Last 5 posts by Dr. Theresa Cerulli
- American Heart Association Recommends EKG's - April 27th, 2008
- Prescribing Decisions May Depend on Genetic Tests - April 7th, 2008
- New Guidelines for Mental Health Treatment in Pre-schoolers - March 17th, 2008
- ADHD and Sleep - March 9th, 2008
- Through the Years with ADHD - February 17th, 2008