Environmental Lead Levels Related to Increased Death

Johns Hopkins University

The researchers evaluated the association between blood lead levels and mortality in 13,946 adult study participants, who were part of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Initially recruited in 1988-1994, they were followed for up to 12 years. The mean blood lead level of the study participants was 2.58 µg/dL, which is well below levels currently considered safe by the U.S. government. Blood lead levels above 2 µg/dL were associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke mortality.

http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/articles/2006/guallar_bloodleadlevels.html