CGD Lead Poisoning Bi-weekly Update, October 31

New Publications and Resources

• Lead Exposure and Antisocial Behavior: A Systematic Review of Human and Animal Evidence. Shaffer et al. Environment International. Evidence indicates a likely causal association between lead and antisocial behavior.

• The strange role of lead poisoning in humanity’s success. The Economist. Homo sapiens’ relative resilience to lead may help explain why they outlived Neanderthals.

• Significant reduction of blood and tissue lead and cadmium concentrations in free-range and broiler chickens through soil remediation with biochar, phosphates, and calcined dolomite: Implications for public health and food safety. Tembo et al. Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances. Finds cost-effective soil amendments in Kabwe that reduce lead in backyard chicken.

• Towards a Lead-Free India: Understanding Risks and Shaping Responses. Pahle India. In partnership with UNICEF, this webinar highlights the current state of lead poisoning action in India. Mentions seven BLL surveys are currently underway across seven AIIMS institutions, that the Government of Meghalaya will start testing cookware, and the ICMR-NIOH will complete a nationwide lead biomarker analysis.

• Methylation-enriched Telomere Length Mediates the Association between Lead Exposure and Cognitive Function in an Aging Population. Li et al. Regenesis Repair Rehabilitation. Finds lead exposure was associated with increased aging of the DNA via telomere attrition. Interventions preserving telomere integrity may mitigate lead-related cognitive decline in ageing populations.

• Cross-sectional associations of self-reported firearm use with blood lead concentrations in a nationally representative cohort of US adults. Day et al. Environmental Epidemiology. Finds lifetime firearm use is associated with higher BLLs in American adults.

• Prenatal and Early Postnatal Lead Exposure, Sensitive Periods, and Later Adult Mental Health. Lin et al. JAMA Psychiatry. Prenatal lead exposure is associated with higher risk of major depressive disorder and anxiety symptoms in later adulthood, particularly when exposed in the third-trimester.

• Togo steps up fight against lead in consumer products. Togo First. The Ministry of Environment organized a workshop with industry stakeholders to promote setting a lead concentration limit of 90 parts per million (ppm) in paints.

• Life in the World’s Most Polluted Town. Action for Southern Africa. Discusses where the responsibility lies ahead of a critical appeal hearing in South Africa on 3-4 November as part of a class action suit filed against Anglo American on behalf of 140,000 women and children in Kabwe.

• Untold: Toxic Legacy. Laura Hughes. Financial Times. Podcast uncovers a lead poisoning epidemic across the UK. Two episodes are out so far.

Funding Opportunities

• Vital Strategies has launched a new Opportunity Fund offering short-term grants of up to $75,000 to support projects that strengthen—directly or indirectly—public health systems’ response to lead exposure in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Grant proposals are accepted on a rolling basis. To learn more about eligibility and the application process, please visit our website. For additional inquiries, contact [email protected].