News - National
Lead exposure linked to cardiovascular disease
Posted: Sep 11, 2009 12:02 PM by Bea Karnes
Men who've had the most environmental lead exposure throughout their lifetime could be more likely to die from cardiovascular disease, according to a new Harvard study.
Although both are banned now -- old paint and leaded gas were the most common sources of lead exposure.
The study included more than 800 older men. The risk of death from cardiovascular disease was nearly 6 times higher in men with the highest concentrations of lead. Lead exposure is generally measured through blood tests, but this study looked at lead levels in bones. Researchers say bones are a better measure of lead because it can show cumulative exposure.
The study is published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
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