Parker Waichman LLP

ADHD Risk Increases With Exposure To Lead, Tobacco

Children Exposed To Lead Toxins ADHD Risk. An emerging study has found a link to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children exposed in-utero to tobacco smoke and during childhood to lead. The research was conducted at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, reported Science Daily. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes ADHD as involving difficulty staying […]

ADHD Risk Exposure To Lead

Children Exposed To Lead Toxins ADHD Risk. An emerging study has found a link to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children exposed in-utero to tobacco smoke and during childhood to lead. The research was conducted at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, reported Science Daily.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes ADHD as involving difficulty staying focused, paying attention, and controlling behavior, and hyper- or over-activity.

According to the research, about 35 percent of childhood ADHD cases involving children between eight and 15 years of age could be minimized by removing exposure to lead and tobacco, said Science Daily. The change could affect about 800,000 children. “Tobacco and lead exposureeach have their own important adverse effect,” said Tanya Froehlich, M.D., a physician in the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s and lead study author. “But if children are exposed to both lead and prenatal tobacco, the combined effect is synergistic,” quoted Science Daily. The study appears in the online, November 23 issue of Pediatrics.

“Although we tend to focus on ADHD treatment rather than prevention, our study suggests that reducing exposures to environmental toxicants might be an important way to lower rates of ADHD,” said Robert Kahn, MD, MPH., a physician and researcher at Cincinnati Children’s and the study’s senior author, reported Science Daily.

Increase In ADHD Risk

According to the research, children exposed to tobacco smoke when in the womb were 2.4 times likelier to be diagnosed with ADHD; children with blood lead levels in the top third experienced a 2.3-fold increase of ADHD, said Science Daily. Of note, these levels are considered well below the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) action level of 10 micrograms per deciliter. The team also found that the risk of ADHD increased by an astounding eight-fold for children exposed to both tobacco and lead, versus children not exposed to either contaminant, said Science Daily.

The study looked at information on eight-to-15-year-olds from 2001 through 2004 derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which was from the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Science Daily. NHANES is a nationally representative sample of the U.S. population and was created so that information about the health and diet of Americans can be collected and analyzed. About 8.7 percent of the 3,907 children in the study met the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.

Yesterday we wrote than a new report found a link between phthalate concentrations in urine to ADHD, citing Science Daily. Phthalates are chemicals that make plastics and vinyls more flexible. The study found a noteworthy link between phthalate metabolite levels in urine to ADHD test results and symptoms, with increased symptoms connected to increased levels, said Science Daily.

Earlier this year we wrote that another study revealed that stimulant medications used to treat ADHD could increase the risk of sudden cardiac death in children, yet the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) opted not to change its recommendations on the way in which such drugs are prescribed. Labeling for drugs like Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine, and Concerta already include warnings about the risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with heart problems, but are considered safe for children without pre-existing heart conditions. There have been worries, however, that such stimulants could be risky in children with undiagnosed heart problems. It is not known how often cardiac events occur in children taking these drugs.

Need Legal Help Regarding ADHD Risk?

The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
Thank you for reaching out to the public through your tv ad! Your staff was always available and very helpful during the entire process of being eligible for the 9/11 compensation fund. The fund continues to assist us with my husbands illness. Without you, our eyes would have never been open to his eligibility. We can never thank you enough! Martha-jean Rosiello xox
martha-jean rosiello
2 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Parker Waichman are the best. Thank you for being so helpful with my husband's case. They explained the case step by step. Jorge Peniche thank you so much for caring and being so nice.
Olga Dejesus
4 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism , Responsiveness B Rollis was very kind, helpful and quickly returned calls regarding any questions I had.
Willie Matos
3 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038