Low-level lead exposure and mortality in US adults: a population-based cohort study

Abstract

This study used data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III) to assess the link between lead exposure and mortality in the USA. Following 14,289 adults for a median of 19.3 years, researchers found that higher blood lead concentrations were significantly associated with increased risks of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality, and ischemic heart disease mortality. The study estimated that 18% of all-cause deaths, 28.7% of cardiovascular disease deaths, and 37.4% of ischemic heart disease deaths in the USA are attributable to lead exposure. These findings highlight the importance of reducing lead exposure as a public health strategy to prevent cardiovascular disease and improve overall health outcomes.