Abstract

There has been controversy over an association between elevated blood-lead levels in children and mental deficiency. This study has revealed a negative correlation (r=—0·81) between blood-lead levels and δ-aminolævulinic acid dehydratase (A.L.A.-dehydratase) activity in children. Significant decreases in enzyme activity occurred at lead levels considered to be in the upper range of normal (20-40 μg. per 100 ml.). When lead was fed to lactating rats there was a significant and commensurate reduction in both blood and brain A.L.A.-dehydratase activity in the suckling rat. These results suggest that even modest elevations of blood-lead may be associated with biochemical abnormalities in the child brain.

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