GLOBAL Encasement Green News
Higher bone-lead levels associated with dementia.
In a study of men and women 55 to 67 years old, higher lead levels were associated with poorer performance on tasks used to assess memory deficits. Poor performance on these same tasks is frequently observed among adults with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Although other studies have found associations between lead exposure and cognitive deficits in older adults, this is the first study to link lead exposure with specific measures of memory impairment that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of dementia, the loss of memory serious enough to interfere with normal life. Alzheimer’s Disease affects more than 5 million Americans. The disease is characterized by impaired ability to learn new information or recall old information, as well as other alterations of thinking and behavior.
The causes of Alzheimer’s Disease are unknown. However, some studies suggest that environmental exposures may increase the risk of the disease.
In this study, the researchers measured lead levels in the bones of the shin and heel of 47 volunteers using X-ray fluorescence. Lead levels in bone reflect exposure over several years or even decades.
Individuals with higher bone lead level were less able to remember specific patterns or the locations of items. The researchers did not evaluate Alzheimer’s Disease directly, but rather looked for early signs of memory impairment in healthy adults.
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Lead poisoning continues to inflict children and adults alike with debilitating health and learning disabilities, and merchandise continue to be manufactured with leaded components or ingredients.
GLOBAL Encasement, Inc. was originally founded as a company in 1994 to help protect people, buildings and the environment from asbestos and lead pollution hazards. During this time, we have campaigned along with the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Housing and Urban Developement, State health offices, Lead Poisoning Prevention advocates and non-profit organizations to alert, inform and offer solutions to the public.
Call us at 1-800-266-3982 to learn how the use of ASTM E-1795 tested and proven LeadLock TopCoat can help you manage lead-based paint in place whenever and wherever possible, as a long-term and cost effective alternative to removal.