J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 1989 Jul;30(4):515-28.

Blood-lead levels and children's behaviour--results from the Edinburgh Lead Study.

Thomson GO, Raab GM, Hepburn WS, Hunter R, Fulton M, Laxen DP.

Department of Education, University of Edinburgh, U.K.

The effect of blood-lead on children's behaviour was investigated in a sub-sample of 501 boys and girls aged 6-9 years from 18 primary schools within a defined area of central Edinburgh. Behaviour ratings of the children were made by teachers and parents using the Rutter behaviour scales. An extensive home interview with a parent was also carried out. Multiple regression analyses showed a significant relationship between log blood-lead and teachers' ratings on the total Rutter score and the aggressive/anti-social and hyperactive sub-scores, but not the neurotic sub-score when 30 possible confounding variables were taken into account. There was a dose-response relationship between blood-lead and behaviour ratings, with no evidence of a threshold.