Which population is particularly vulnerable to lead exposure?

Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure due to several key factors. Their developing bodies and brains absorb lead more efficiently than those of older individuals, increasing the risk of harmful effects. Young children are also more likely to engage in hand-to-mouth activities, which can lead to ingestion of lead from contaminated surfaces or objects. Furthermore, the crucial stages of brain development in early childhood can be severely impacted by lead exposure, resulting in long-term cognitive deficits, behavioral issues, and developmental delays.

In contrast, healthy adults over 50, while they may face some health risks related to lead exposure, are generally less vulnerable because their bodies are not in the same critical developmental stage as children. Seniors living in retirement homes may also be at risk due to potential exposure, but their vulnerability is not on the same level as that of infants and young children. Pregnant women over 30 are indeed at risk due to lead potentially affecting fetal development, but the immediate developmental impact on young children makes them the most vulnerable population when it comes to lead exposure.