ATTENTIONAL CORRELATES OF DENTIN AND BONE LEAD LEVELS IN ADOLESCENTS

In an effort to determine whether specific aspects of attention are im paired by lead, the performance of 79 subjects (aged 19 and 20 y) on a neuropsychologically based battery of tests of attention was examined in relation to lead levels in deciduous teeth (dentin), current blood , and tibia and patella bones measured by K-X-ray fluorescence. Dentin lead levels averaged 14 mu g/g. Most bone lead levels were less than 10 mu g/g. Dentin lead levels were related inversely to scores on two of four attention factors: focus-execute (ability to select and respon d to critical information) and shift (ability to shift focus adaptivel y). Few significant associations were observed between bone lead level s and performance. Five individuals with the ALA-D 1-2 isozyme phenoty pe tended to achieve more optimal scores. Executive and self-regulatio n functions may be among the cognitive skills targeted by lead.