Exposure to Lead and Other Heavy Metals: Child Development Outcomes

Exposure to certain heavy metals, including lead, can be toxic even in low concentration. Although recent efforts have reduced exposure to lead and other heavy metals, heavy metal exposure continues to be represent a significant problem. Children are particularly vulnerable to the exposure to lead and other heavy metals; this vulnerability extends from the prenatal period through childhood. Effects of exposure to heavy metals on child development outcomes have been observed in a variety of domains (e.g., cognitive functioning, academic achievement, and behavior), and may lead to the development of mental health disorders. Moreover, a growing body of research suggests that there is no safe level of exposure to certain metals (e.g., lead), and the effects of exposure can have long-lasting impacts that may be impossible to reverse. In this chapter, the effects of exposure to lead and other metals in childhood in a variety of domains are reviewed. Implications for mental health diagnosis and special education eligibility are discussed, and intervention strategies are presented.