Study: Pregnant mothers who test higher for lead perform poorer at neuropsychological tests (Malaysia)

In this study in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, researchers assessed 202 women who attended routine gynaecology appointments. They tested the blood lead levels and the neuropsychological score of women who were in their third trimester of pregnancy.

Conclusions

• The mean blood lead of the respondents was 7.78 μg/dL (Figure 2), which is more than the blood lead of electronic industries soldering workers (6.10 μg/L) (4). Pregnant women need an optimum nutrient such as Ca2+ and Fe2+ or Fe3+, for the growth of the babies (5,6). The body tends to absorb lead if the calcium and iron intake were insufficient in the diet.

• Almost one-third (27%) of the respondents have blood lead concentrations of more than 10 μg/dL—the maximum limit recognised for pregnant women.

• The blood lead for these pregnant mothers had an inverse significant correlation with their scores in a neuropsychological test (Digit Symbol, Digit Span, Trail Making, Benton Visual Retention Test and Reaction Time).

• The NCTB test result shows that pregnant mothers with high blood lead have difficulties in concentrating and have short– term hearing and visual abilities (Digit Span Test, Benton Visual Retention Test). They have slow motor speed through vision (Digit Symbol Test) slow reaction toward visual stimulation (Reaction Time Test) and low attention ability, visual scanning and visual motor trailing (Trail Making Test).

• This supports previous studies showed that blood lead among female workers had the abilities to lower the NCTB score (12,13).

LINK TO THE STUDY: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340582193_Blood_Lead_Concentrations_and_The_Neuropsychology_Scores_of_Pregnant_Women_in_Klang_Valley_Malaysia

High Electromagnetic Field Exposure in Kindergarten Children: Study in South Korea

Sensitive areas like schools, kindergartens, hospital, and other public facilities have been of great concerns of various studies on Electromagnetic fields (EMFs).

This study includes 24 kindergartens across Busan, South Korea (12 kindergartens located near UGTL and 12 kindergartens without UGTL).

Research conclusions

The maximum mean value of the EMF emission level was 13.5 mG around the kindergartens and 17.7 mG from the point of UGTL to kindergartens. EMF emission level around the kindergartens was significantly associated with the location of the UGTL (t = −7.35, P < 0.001).

• These estimates are not trivial, as long-term exposure to EMF among kindergarten children can lead to different health problems.

• Routine monitoring of EMF emission levels is recommended including the awareness of EMF exposure to public citizens.

• It is not appropriate to ignore the fact that EMFs are potentially carcinogenic to children. Proper installation solutions should be implemented for the minimization of the EMF level around the public sensitive areas with routine monitoring.

LINK: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2021.694407/full#B1

Update: Some media platforms are cracking down on holistic health content. Many of you have given feedback that you never see our content in your news feeds on social media. There’s one way around this — join my FREE newsletter. Click here.