Lead Levels In Blood Linked To Lower Test Scores In Detroit Study

The Detroit Free Press (2/26, Matheny) reports that a study to be published in the American Journal of Public Health found that "the greater the lead poisoning in a Detroit Public Schools student's blood, the higher the likelihood he or she will do poorly on achievement tests - even after accounting for contributing factors such as poverty." The study was based on "blood test results provided by the city health department" that were matched "with those children's elementary and middle school scores on the statewide Michigan Educational Assessment Program." The study found that levels as low as 2.5 mg/l had significant effects on student scores.