Perhaps the most surprising and interesting to me was the link Needleman pointed out between lead exposure and behavior. One case-control study found that arrested and convicted youths were at higher risk of delinquency associated with bone lead concentrations (OR = 4). Another study found a fourfold increase in homicide rates in U.S. counties with the highest air lead levels. It sort of makes me wonder if we should convict people and assign punishment the same way knowing this information. What was also very persuasive was the cost-benefit analysis for removing lead hazards in homes that were built before lead-based paints were banned in 1971. It would cost $33.7 billion over 30 years, which is a lot of money, but the benefit would equate to $61.7 billion, nearly double the expense. That seems well worth the investment.
In the short article on the outbreak of childhood lead poisoning in Nigeria, I was glad to read that there was local involvement at every step of the intervention because that is so important for success. Another key feature of the intervention was the implementation of safer mining practices which helps to ensure safety and health in the future.
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Hi:) You raised a number of very interesting questions. You made me think of convictions and punishments too. I am not sure it would be reasonable or fair to change.
ReplyDeleteI am quite hopeful about future interventions. I also hope that we will build strong regulations for corporations and manufacturers to ensure it supports healthier environment.
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ReplyDeleteI love the extent and speed that local interventions were able to fix this lead poisoning problem! Ideally, if no children had died, this public health nightmare would have been less devastating! However, I do hope we take this as a very important lesson in the public health lens!