Objective To explore the effect of high lead exposure (HLE) on children's health and their teeth lead level.

Methods Children who lived in a HLE area (a smelting site in a lead and zinc mining area) and those who lived far away from the HLE area were enrolled into observation group and control group, respectively. The effects of HLE on the lead level in teeth, physical development, and intelligence quotient (IQ) were investigated using questionnaire survey, physical examinations (including calcium level, presence or absence of hair loss and anemia, and susceptibility to colds), and IQ tests (verbal intelligence quotientVIQ, performance intelligence quotientPIQ, and ful-scale intelligence quotientFIQ).

Results The positive rates of lead level in teeth, alopecia, and anemia in the observation group were (60.8±15.3) μg/g, 48.73%, and 47.2%, respectively, all of which were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The VIQ, PIQ, and FIQ scores were significantly lower in the test group than in the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion The intelligence and growth and development of children in HLE areas are severely affected by lead exposure.