Lead and mental-health problems

People with more lead in their bloodstream are more at risk of mental-health problems - even at levels currently considered safe. Researchers from the University of Montreal used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey covering 1,987 men and women between 20 and 39. They found that the more lead people had in their bloodstream the greater their risk of depression and panic disorder. People with the highest levels of lead in their blood were more than twice as likely to suffer from major depression and five times as likely to suffer from panic disorder. High levels of lead are known to interfere with neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.

You can find out more about this research at

http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE5B75FL20091208?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews&pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true