Lead Content of Deciduous Teeth of Children in Different Environments

Abstract

• The lead content of teeth of children in five different environments has been measured to determine the relative contribution of different sources of lead. The importance of lead paint in children living in dilapidated housing is clearly observed, but no effect attributable to automobile exhaust or industrial emissions is apparent. High lead levels were found among children living in new public housing projects within the high lead area of the city, even though a lead paint problem presumably should not exist in the projects themselves. The data are analyzed to determine the frequency with which excessive lead contents occur in the problem area in comparison to a low risk area.