Prenatal lead exposure and its potential significance for developmental disabilities: A preliminary study of umbilical cord blood lead levels

It has been reported that between 1976-1980 the mean blood lead level in American preschool children was 16 μg/dl. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently set a blood level of 25 μg/dl as the highest acceptable level for children. However, current research findings have provided evidence that detrimental effects on development can occur when lead levels are below this acceptable value. In particular, recent work has shown a relationship between early (prenatal) exposure to lead and delayed cognitive development. Because the developing fetus is particularly vulnerable to insult, it is of critical importance to obtain information about the developmental effects of prenatal exposure to lead and about those factors that may influence this exposure. This report presents initial findings of an ongoing investigation pertaining to issues surrounding early lead exposure. To date umbilical cord blood samples have been measured in 802 infants born at Children's Hospital of Buffalo between November 1987 and April 1988. These infants' residence span approximately 50 townships with most residing in Buffalo proper. Approximately 60 percent of the infants had measurable cord blood lead levels in the range of 4 to 20 μg/dl.