Abstract
Exposure to REEs and lead was assessed by analysing the scalp hair samples of children aged 6-16 years who lived in a rare earth mining area, by atomic absorption spectrometry. Intelligence was assessed using Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices. Bayesian Structural Equations were built to explore different patterns of associations between REEs and lead explore and children's intelligence, and the best-fitted one was selected for the most reasonable explanation according to DIC and BIC.
Highlights
The increased utilization of rare earth elements (REEs) have led to a number of human exposures
A small amount of rare earth can affect the function of central nervous system by acting on brain tissue through bloodbrain barrier, reducing children’s cognitive, visual, perceptual and motor behaviour, intelligence quotient (IQ) and memory [1]
The present study aimed to investigate the effect of co-exposure to REEs and lead on children’s intelligence, as well as whether there is any interactive effect of exposures
Summary
The increased utilization of rare earth elements (REEs) have led to a number of human exposures. Health effects and toxicity mechanisms of rare earth elements were widely reported in past 20 years. Including those from both occupational exposure and environmental exposure. People around the mine mainly intake the REE and lead by water, food and air. The intake of low-dose lead has toxic effects on the nervous system of children during growth and development, which can cause the decrease of children’s intelligence quotient and developmental disorder [2]. Epidemiological studies on its possible effect on children’s intelligence was scarcely. The study was to investigate the effect of co-exposure to rare earth elements (REEs) and lead on children’s intelligence, and whether there is a certain interactive effect of exposure
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