Historical Atmospheric Lead Concentrations (1960‐1974) and Memory Problems Half a Century Later: Findings from Two Large, Independent Representative Samples
We observed in two very large (n >250,000) independent representative samples that older adults had approximately 20% higher odds of reporting memory problems if they lived in PUMAs that had HALL > 0.4 µg/m<sup>3</sup>compared to <0.4 µg/m<sup>3</sup>. This adds to the evidence implicating lasting health outcomes, including cognition, due to earlier life lead exposure from air pollution. The precipitous decline in atmospheric lead exposure in the last quarter of the 20<sup>th</sup> century may help to explain the declining incidence of dementia in the US.
Authors
- Melissa A. Lombard (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5924-6556)
- Eric E. Brown (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1575-2606)
- Alisha Yee Chan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5652-8013)
- Esme Fuller‐Thomson
- Joseph Ayotte
- Scarlett Rakowska
Institutions
- United States Geological Survey (US)
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CA)
- University of Toronto (CA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Alzheimer s & Dementia
- Published
- 2025-12-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/alz70860_101687
- Primary Topic
- Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00