The Level of Lead (Pb) among Students in Qatar Schools and its Relationship to Academic Achievement and Violent Behavior

Abstract

Introduction: Lead (Pb) has no any known biological or physiological function in the body. Its accumulation has been associated with various damaging effects, particularly in the nervous system. Study objectives: to measure the lead concentration of two groups of school students in Qatar: a group of students with good academic achievement and a group of students with low academic achievement; and to explore different patterns of behavior related to perceptions of violence between student groups and to check if this can be linked to lead exposure. Methods and subjects: a case control study was conducted. Study sample included 40 schoolchildren students assigned into two groups: group I (N=20) includes students with good academic achievement, and group II (N=20) includes students with bad academic achievements. Urine samples were taken from all students and tested for lead concentration by atomic spectrometer. Study findings: lead concentration in-group I (0.00015±0.00007pg/ml) was significantly lower than that in-group II (0.0114±0.008 pg/ml), (p=0.008). The modes of behaviors in-group II pointed to rioting modes that involve insulting teachers, colleagues and school properties. Conclusions: schoolchildren with bad academic achievements tend to have high levels of lead, which is expected to influence their modes of behaviors.