Children, who drink water from wells, before the age of 6 are said to have high levels of lead in their blood. Because of this exposure to this substance, they would be more likely to engage in delinquent behavior after 14 years. This was suggested by a recent American study.
- Lead diffuses through the body to the brain, liver, kidneys and bones. It is stored in teeth and bones, where it builds up over time.
- Drinking water from wells during childhood would increase the risk of ingesting lead and having delinquent behavior after 14 years.
Lead is toxic to humans and particularly harmful to young children. Its ingestion or inhalation can cause anemia, digestive disorders, damage to the nervous system or even encephalopathy. According to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Scienceschildren under the age of 6 exposed to lead would be more likely to commit offenses and crimes in adolescence.
Before carrying out their work, the American researchers had made an observation. “Early environmental lead exposure has been linked to lower IQ, behavioral problems, lower lifetime earnings and increased criminal activity. 1970, limits on lead in paint, gasoline, cans, and regulated water utilities greatly reduced environmental lead exposure in the United States,” can we read in the searches.
Lead present in drinking water from wells
For the purposes of the study, the scientists analyzed data, collected between 1998 and 2011, on the measurements of lead in the blood of 13,580 children under the age of 6, who lived in Wake County. They also examined the files concerning juvenile delinquency. As part of this research, children ingested lead by drinking drinking water from private wells.
“Lead in drinking water is a problem whenever it occurs. In Wake County, it’s not a problem for city-supplied households, but sometimes it is. for those who are supplied by wells”, said Philip J. Cook, co-author of the study in a statement.
“Water from wells is often a bit corrosive, and if there is lead in the pipes (soldering joints, for example), the water leaches (i.e. carries) the lead on its way to the faucet. Newer well-powered homes do not have this problem as recent regulations do not allow the use of lead in plumbing. But for older homes whose plumbing does not have redone, it is often a problem”he added.
A link between lead exposure and crime
According to the results, early exposure to lead, present in water from wells, could have an impact on the behavior of adolescents. Scientists found that children living in older homes had 11% higher blood lead levels than those with communal water service. According to the authors, these elevated blood lead levels were significantly associated with delinquency.
The study found that children who drank water from private wells had a higher risk, estimated at 21%, of being reported for any form of delinquency after the age of 14, and a risk of 38% to have a file with a serious complaint, such as an assault.
“Our study is not the first to find that children who are exposed to lead when drinking water are more likely to be involved in criminal acts,” said Philip J. Cook. But she “confirms the urgent need to prevent early exposure to lead in drinking water”concluded Jackie MacDonald Gibson, lead author of the study.
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