Lead Poisoning - "The Summer Disease"

Ref: (1979) V Garnys, R Freeman and L Smythe
"Lead Burden of Sydney Schoolchildren", Uni of NSW, p160.

Several publications [AM Baetjer (1959) Industrial Medicine and Surgery, 28, 137, and JC Aub et al (1925) Mediano, 4, 1] have noted the increased incidence of childhood lead poisoning during the summer months. In a recent publication entitled "The summer disease. An integrative model of the seasonality aspects of childhood lead poisoning", JM Hunter (1977) [in "Social Science and Medicine" 11, 691-703] reviewed this phenomenon by considering air pollution, maternal-foetal exchange of lead, biological models and the effects of sunlight in the USA.

In Australia, Freeman [various references 1969-1973] noted the increased number of hospital admissions in summer for childhood lead poisoning.

Contents     Previous Item   Next Item

Last Updated 23 November 2008
Copyright © The LEAD Group Inc. 1991 - 2008
PO Box 161 Summer Hill NSW 2130 Australia
Phone: +61 2 9716 0014 Fax: +61 2 9716 9005