Study links childhood lead exposure to sleep problems

Elevated blood lead levels in early childhood are associated with increased risk for sleep problems and excessive daytime sleepiness in later childhood, according to a longitudinal study of Chinese children published in the December issue of the journal SLEEP. According to the authors, this initial evidence could facilitate continued discussion about the possible role of environmental toxicants in sleep disturbance and the potential biochemical factors underlying sleep disorders.

Read the study in SLEEP:  Early Blood Lead Levels and Sleep Disturbance in Preadolescence