Abstract
BackgroundLow-level lead exposure has harmful and persistent effects on behaviour. Recent studies have linked environmental lead exposure and the development of aggressive, violent and criminal behaviour. This protocol is designed to study an association between lifetime (bone) lead levels and violent criminal behaviour among young males in conflict with the law in Gauteng youth development centres.MethodsThis paper describes a study to determine a link between lifetime lead exposure and violent criminal behaviour. Lifetime lead exposure will be measured using bone lead measurement, while blood lead levels will be observed for current exposure. Thereafter, criminal records of participants will be reviewed whereas violent behaviour and risk factors will be observed using a questionnaire. The study focused on young males in conflict with the law in three centres within Gauteng Provence, South Africa. After stratifying the centres, we randomly selected participants. The researcher shall adhere to ethical requirements throughout the study. Data will be analysed for descriptive and inferential analysis using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS).DiscussionThe study will provide a strong foundation for an improved understanding of the relationship between environmental contamination from lead exposure and aggression/violent criminal behaviour. Beyond the health sector, the study findings may be able to inform new approaches to crime prevention through environmental action with an emphasis on the role of non-health sectors.
Highlights
Low-level lead exposure has harmful and persistent effects on behaviour
Outcomes The primary outcome of this study is to describe the association between lifetime environmental lead exposure and violent criminal behaviour
Despite continued exposure to lead, especially in children of low socio-economic status, there is a dearth of information on the contribution of lead exposure to violent criminal behaviour in South Africa
Summary
Low-level lead exposure has harmful and persistent effects on behaviour. Recent studies have linked environmental lead exposure and the development of aggressive, violent and criminal behaviour. This protocol is designed to study an association between lifetime (bone) lead levels and violent criminal behaviour among young males in conflict with the law in Gauteng youth development centres. There is growing evidence that links long-term environmental lea d exposure with neurological effects, violent and criminal behaviour [5,6,7,8,9]. Elevated blood lead levels may disturb the cells’ biological metabolism through replacing useful ions in the Mbonane et al BMC Public Health (2019) 19:932 by studies conducted in other developed countries [7]. A study in New Zealand found that there is no causation relationship between higher blood levels and criminal activities [24]
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