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Children and lead: new findings and concerns

Journal Article · · N.Engl. J. Med.; (United States)

An editorial dealing with lead in the environment and its health risks to children is presented. Young children are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure. Through hand-to-mouth activities, such as thumb sucking, nail biting, or eating with dirty hands, lead in house dust and garden soil readily enters their bodies. Children with pica are exposed to more lead because they eat such items as paint chips, broken plaster, and dirt. Moreover, intestinal lead absorption is greater in children than in adults. The author recommends a concerted effort to reduce undue lead absorption in children. (JMT)

OSTI ID:
6851803
Journal Information:
N.Engl. J. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: N.Engl. J. Med.; (United States) Vol. 307:10; ISSN NEJMA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English