1. How does lead poisoning affect physical growth, cognitive abilities, and social areas of development
By Summer Chenault

2. What is lead poisoning?
Lead accumulates in the body throughout our lifetime
It is more impactful on young children because of their body mass
It is often seen in paint on or in older houses, can be in some toys, and in other environmental agents
Children ages 0- 6 are most commonly affected
Also kids with a history of pica, a tendency to eat nonnutritive foods like dirt or paint, are at higher risk for lead poisoning

3. Physical Results
Even very small amounts of lead can cause physical detriments
Physical symptoms include: decreased bone and muscle growth, poor muscle coordination, and damage to organs, organ failure.
In severe cases, coma and nervous system failure

4. Cognitive Results
Lead poisoning can result in developmental delays to severe intellectual disability
Other occurrences are reduced IQ score and a lower level of educational capabilities

5. Social Results Behavioral changes occur such as antisocial behavior
This could cause people to feel as though they do not fit in with their peers in social groups, or to become victims of bullying for being smaller or having an intellectual disability.

6. How does this relate to a theory?
Piaget says that action equals knowledge, which is to say that knowledge is the product of the direct motor development which causes mental patterns of functioning.
Children with lead poisoning do not develop the necessary muscle movements or coordination to increase their cognitive development.
If the children have a cognitive delay because of lead poisoning this could leave them vulnerable to bullying by their peers.
This in turn will affect their social development because they could be left out by others or struggle to feel as if they fit in.

7. Flint Water Crisis in Michigan
Because of water not being treated properly when coming from lead pipes out of the Flint River, over 100,000 people were exposed to lead poisoning
This caused people, especially children, to have a wide range of serious health problems
An outbreak of Legionnaires Disease, a water born illness that causes a type of pneumonia, infected 87 people and caused 10 deaths

8. Sources
Lead Poisoning. (2017). Kidshealth.org. Retrieved 4 April 2017, from
Lead poisoning and health. (2017). World Health Organization. Retrieved 4 April 2017, from
Closer look at what caused the Flint water crisis. (2017). ScienceDaily. Retrieved 6 April 2017, from