Miguel Motas
Professor of Toxicology in the Department of Social and Health Sciences at the University of Murcia
What is your overall opinion of the study? Is it of good quality?
‘I think it is a good study with an interesting starting hypothesis, which it addresses with a large, representative sample size.’
How does it fit in with existing evidence and what new information does it provide?
"It casts doubt on existing evidence, suggesting the application of the precautionary principle that there are no safe levels of lead in children. It provides evidence that it is advisable to lower the acceptable blood lead level in young children, as levels below this acceptable level cause learning delays.‘
Are there any important limitations to consider?
’As this is a study using existing data, some relevant variables, such as family income and housing quality, were not measured."