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Linking Lead to Alzheimer Disease

Scientists from Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals presented evidence at the April 2000 annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology that people who have held jobs with high levels of lead exposure have a 3.4 times greater likelihood of developing Alzheimer disease.

The researchers also examined exposures to a variety of other substances, including aluminum, copper, iron, mercury, zinc, and solvents, but only lead exposure was found to increase the risk of Alzheimer disease. People can be exposed to lead on the job either by breathing in lead dust or through direct skin contact. Coauthor Elisabeth Koss noted, "Lead exposure remains a major public …