Vulnerability of Children to Lead Exposure and Toxicity

Abstract

Lead Ingestion and AbsorptionThe exposure of children to many possible sources of lead takes on special importance because of the degree of oral activity among young children. Most infants begin mouthing objects in the middle of their first year and continue until early in the second year of life, when this activity usually subsides. Persistence of mouthing as a major activity beyond 18 months is considered abnormal.⁷⁵ PicaPica, a perverted appetite for nonfood items, occurs commonly in preschool children, and is most prevalent among those 18 to 24 months old.^{75 , 76} In a survey of pica among 486 Negro . . .