An international pooled analysis for obtaining a benchmark dose for environmental lead exposure in children

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningfagfællebedømt

Lead is a recognized neurotoxicant, but estimating effects at the lowest measurable levels is difficult. An international pooled analysis of data from seven cohort studies reported an inverse and supra-linear relationship between blood lead concentrations and IQ scores in children. The lack of a clear threshold presents a challenge to the identification of an acceptable level of exposure. The benchmark dose (BMD) is defined as the dose that leads to a specific known loss. As an alternative to elusive thresholds, the BMD is being used increasingly by regulatory authorities. Using the pooled data, this article presents BMD results and applies different statistical techniques in the analysis of multistudy data. The calculations showed only a limited variation between studies in the steepness of the dose-response functions. BMD results were quite robust to modeling assumptions with the best fitting models yielding lower confidence limits (BMDLs) of about 0.1-1.0 μ g/dL for the dose leading to a loss of one IQ point. We conclude that current allowable blood lead concentrations need to be lowered and further prevention efforts are needed to protect children from lead toxicity.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftRisk Analysis
Vol/bind33
Udgave nummer3
Sider (fra-til)450-461
Antal sider12
ISSN0272-4332
DOI
StatusUdgivet - mar. 2013

ID: 117199739