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Updated: Jul 1, 2026

Rearing the Cabbage White Butterfly (Pieris rapae) in Controlled Conditions: A Case Study with Heavy Metal Tolerance

Rearing the Cabbage White Butterfly (Pieris rapae) in Controlled Conditions: A Case Study with Heavy Metal Tolerance

Published on: August 18, 2023

Low level environmental lead exposure--a continuing challenge.

¹Department of Clinical Biochemistry, PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA 6909, Australia. ric.rossi@health.wa.gov.au

The Clinical Biochemist. Reviews

|September 13, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The established blood lead toxicity threshold is outdated, as research shows harmful effects, including intellectual deficits in children and increased mortality in adults, occur at lower levels. Current environmental lead exposure poses a significant public health risk.

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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants

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Published on: March 6, 2018

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Rearing the Cabbage White Butterfly (Pieris rapae) in Controlled Conditions: A Case Study with Heavy Metal Tolerance

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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants

Published on: March 6, 2018

Area of Science:

Environmental Health
Toxicology
Public Health

Background:

The 1991 US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and 1995 World Health Organization (WHO) threshold for lead toxicity is 10 microg/dL.
Growing evidence indicates adverse health outcomes at blood lead levels below this established threshold.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the health risks associated with blood lead levels below the current toxicity threshold.
To highlight the public health implications of low-level environmental lead exposure.

Main Methods:

Review of international pooled analyses and population studies on blood lead levels and health outcomes.
Analysis of mortality data comparing individuals with high (≥3.6 microg/dL) versus low (<1.9 microg/dL) blood lead levels.

Main Results:

Lead exposure is linked to intellectual deficits in preschool-aged children at levels below 10 microg/dL.
Adults with blood lead levels ≥3.6 microg/dL showed a 25% increased risk of all-cause mortality and a 55% increased risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to those with levels <1.9 microg/dL.
Adverse health effects of lead exposure do not have a discernible threshold, indicating no safe level of exposure.

Conclusions:

The current blood lead toxicity threshold is inadequate for protecting public health.
Low-level environmental lead exposure remains a significant concern, necessitating updated public health strategies.
Further research and revised guidelines are crucial to address the pervasive risks of lead exposure.