Growing up in lead-contaminated area may alter personality, study says [View all]
ULY 14, 2021 / 3:05 AM
ByAlan Mozes, HealthDay News
Can childhood lead exposure affect personality into adulthood?
Yes, a big multi-decade study suggests.
The finding stems from an analysis of data on atmospheric lead levels across the United States and 37 European nations since 1960. Lead levels were stacked up against responses to a personality survey of roughly 1.5 million men and women.
The result: Americans raised in areas with high levels of airborne lead grew up to be less conscientious, less agreeable, and, among the 20s and 30s set, more neurotic.
"Atmospheric lead, like all sources of lead exposure, is quite dangerous," said lead author Ted Schwaba, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Texas at Austin.
"Even low levels of lead exposure have been linked to poor health, mental disorders, school delinquency, and pretty much any other negative outcome you can think of," Schwaba said.
His team said even low-level lead exposure may adversely affect personality traits, harming people's well-being, life expectancy and economic prospects throughout life.
More:
https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2021/07/14/lead-contamination-alter-personality-study/6901626229398/?ur3=1
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