Abstract
Background:
Childhood lead poisoning remains a critical public health problem in the United States. The neurotoxic effects of early life lead exposure have been associated with numerous behavioral issues, including violence. To explore this association further, we evaluated whether there was spatial association between topsoil lead levels and violent crime in Jefferson County, Kentucky.
Methods:
Our study collected topsoil samples from four pre-specified areas; one high crime area (Study Area), and three normal-to-low crime areas (Northeast, Southeast, Southwest). A spatial error model was used to compare topsoil lead content between the four collection areas. A Bayesian sparse spatial generalized linear mixed model was used to examine the relationship between topsoil lead levels and violent crime.
Results:
The Study Area had an 8.25-fold increase in topsoil lead concentration compared with the referent Southeast Control Area (β: 8.25, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 5.12–13.27). In addition, for every 100-unit increase in the estimated mean topsoil lead concentration per census-tract, there was a 62% increased risk for violent crime (risk ratio: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.59–1.68). Model results were attenuated but remained significant after adjusting for pertinent confounders (risk ratio: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.03–1.08).
Discussion:
Results from our study suggest that lead contaminated topsoil may be an important modifiable risk factor for violent crime. Although there are individual-level and sociological risk factors associated with violence, environmental lead remains a known developmental neurotoxicant that may increase the risk for violent behavior.
Conclusion:
Remediating lead contaminated environments may be an important consideration for legislative policies aimed at preventing violent crime.
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