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Get the Lead Out Low-level exposure to a dangerous element could increase cognitive decline in women. 
Lead has been labeled a public health risk for many years and, for the most part, it has been removed from the goods we bring into our homes. And while lead exposure has significantly decreased, people are still exposed on a daily basis. According to a new study published in the journal, Environmental Health Perspectives, that daily low-level exposure could have consequences for cognition in women. The study, co-funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute on Aging and the National Institutes of Health, has found that the exposure to lead levels that are likely to be incurred in public places accelerates cognitive decline in women between the ages of 47-74, which could lead to increased risk for developing demetia. “The identification of modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline may provide important clues for delaying or even preventing dementia,” wrote first author Jennifer Weuve. Lead exposure is measured by levels in the blood, an indicator of recent exposure, as well as by levels in the bone, which represent cumulative exposure. In the study, researchers analyzed cognitive tests and found that higher lead levels were found in those with lower cognitive performance. Those with the highest amount in the bone levels, which represents long-term exposure, showed the biggest cognitive decline. “Findings in this study are important because of their long-range consequences on the public health of an aging generation,” says Environmental Health Perspective editor-in-chief Hugh A. Tilson, Ph.D. “Impaired cognition and cognitive decline in older women are associated with heightened risks of dementia, physical disability, hospitalization and reduced quality of life in later years.” The most important step to prevent high lead levels in the body is to avoid exposure. Since the majority of your time is spent in the home, make sure yours is as lead-free as possible. Experts recommend using a lead detection kit, available in most hardware stores, or having a professional home inspection to find (and fix) the problem areas in your home. © CTW Features
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