ORIGINAL RESEARCH
The Effect of Blood Lead Concentration
on EEG, Brain Electrical Activity Mapping
and Psychological Test Results in Children
E. Kmiecik-Małecka1,2, A. Małecki2,3, N. Pawlas4, Y. Woźniakova5, K. Pawlas4,6
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1Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Silesian Voivodship Hospital No. 5, pl. Medykow 1, Sosnowiec, Poland
2Higher School of Strategic Planning in Dąbrowa Górnicza, Kościelna 6, Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland
3Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Medykow 18, Katowice, Poland
4Institute of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, Koscielna 13, Sosnowiec, Poland
5Institute of Psychology, University of Silesia, Grażyńskiego 53, Katowice, Poland
6Department of Hygiene, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2009;18(6):1021-1027
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Our study focused on the assessment of the effects of environmental lead exposure on brain electrical
activity. Electrophysiological procedures were conducted on 92 children with Pb level of 5.9 + 3.8 µg/dL
(min.=2.3 µg/dL, max.=23.0 µg/dL). The study was performed on a blind basis, and consisted of blood lead
level measurements, standard EEG examinations, brain electric activity mapping, and psychological tests.
Results of electrophysiological assessment were correlated with the blood lead concentration (PbB). Elevated
PbB significantly correlated with: abnormal EEGs (R=0.419; p<0.001), border-line results, IQ measurement
results and difficulties in learning. In conclusion, psychological tests and electrophysiological methods were
effective in the assessment of environmental exposure of children to lead.