High levels of lead interfere with the function of neurotransmitters in the brain, which contributes to depression and panic disorder.
Lead exposure well within levels generally considered safe may harm mental health.
Lead is known to be toxic to the nervous system. But most research on its effects has been done in children and in adults exposed to high levels of the toxic metal on the job. To investigate whether lead exposure might affect the general population, researchers looked at data from the on 1,987 American men and women who were 20 to 39 years old. About 7 percent met diagnostic criteria for major depression, while around 2 percent had panic disorder and another 2 percent had generalised anxiety disorder.
The participants' average blood lead level was 1.61 micrograms per deciliter of blood, and ranged from 0.3 to 37.3 micrograms per deciliter. The higher an individual's blood lead, the greater their risk of depression or panic disorder, but lead levels had no influence on the likelihood of anxiety disorder. Because smoking cigarettes can increase blood lead levels, the researchers did a separate analysis of non-smokers, and found similar results.
The findings indicated that those with the highest levels of lead in their blood were more than twice as likely to suffer from major depression as their peers with the lowest blood lead levels, while their risk of panic disorder was nearly five times greater.
High levels of lead are known to interfere with the function of neurotransmitters in the brain like serotonin and dopamine and this could be the mechanism through which lead exposure might contribute to depression and panic disorder.
The above findings suggest that efforts must be made to reduce people's exposure to lead in the environment, for example from tap water contaminated by corroding pipes.
Lead is known to be toxic to the nervous system. But most research on its effects has been done in children and in adults exposed to high levels of the toxic metal on the job. To investigate whether lead exposure might affect the general population, researchers looked at data from the on 1,987 American men and women who were 20 to 39 years old. About 7 percent met diagnostic criteria for major depression, while around 2 percent had panic disorder and another 2 percent had generalised anxiety disorder.
The participants' average blood lead level was 1.61 micrograms per deciliter of blood, and ranged from 0.3 to 37.3 micrograms per deciliter. The higher an individual's blood lead, the greater their risk of depression or panic disorder, but lead levels had no influence on the likelihood of anxiety disorder. Because smoking cigarettes can increase blood lead levels, the researchers did a separate analysis of non-smokers, and found similar results.
The findings indicated that those with the highest levels of lead in their blood were more than twice as likely to suffer from major depression as their peers with the lowest blood lead levels, while their risk of panic disorder was nearly five times greater.
High levels of lead are known to interfere with the function of neurotransmitters in the brain like serotonin and dopamine and this could be the mechanism through which lead exposure might contribute to depression and panic disorder.
The above findings suggest that efforts must be made to reduce people's exposure to lead in the environment, for example from tap water contaminated by corroding pipes.
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