FACT SHEET ON LEAD HEALTH IMPLICATIONS
The health effects of most serious concern are:
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* Disruptions in normal mental development in babies and young children.
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* Small deficiencies in IQ, attention span, and hearing with low level exposure to lead.
Other effects are:
* Alteration in red blood cell metabolism.
* Alteration in vitamin D synthesis.
* Premature birth.
* Low birth weight.
* Small increases in blood pressure in adults.
Effects are generally associated with blood lead levels above 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (ug/dl), although some recent studies indicate subtle changes at even lower levels.
EPA estimates approximately 5 percent of U.S. children have baseline lead levels close to 10 ug/dl, independent of drinking water.
Source: EPA Environmental News, May, 1993.