Skip to main content
. 2013 Aug 1;4(3):123–135. doi: 10.1016/j.shaw.2013.07.003

Table 3.

Comparison of adverse neurobehavioral effect magnitudes for neurotoxic metals: fractional score change

Study Finger tapping Symbol digit Digit symbol Digit span Peg board Trail-B Hand steadiness Santa ana Wisconsin total error
Mercury (per mg/m3-yr of cumulative exposure)
Ngim et al, 1992 [100] 0.291 0.582 0.885 0.185 1.277
Liang et al, 1993 [101] 0.146 0.431
Piikivi et al, 1989 [99] 0.096 0.188 0.127
Lead (per measures based on bone/blood lead)
Stewart et al, 1999 [97] 0.029 0.024 0.052 0.017
Chia et al, 1997 [102] 0.244 0.159 0.496 0.089
Barth et al, 2002 [103] 0.025 0.307
Lindgren et al, 1996 [104]§ 0.018 0.022 0.036 0.016 0.065
Manganese (per mg/m3-y of cumulative exposure)
Lucchini et al, 1995 [31] 0.095 0.374 0.227
Ellingsen et al, 2008 [28] 0.016 0.026 0.036 0.004 0.125
Wastensson et al, 2012 [87] 0.0005 0.023
Mergler et al, 1994 and Baldwin et al, 2008 [30,105] 0.011 0.004 0.010 0.036 0.089
Lucchini et al, 1999 [33]-high 0.017 0.039 0.028
Lucchini et al, 1999 [33]-mid 0.058 0.144 0.183
Kim et al, 1999 [23]-high 0.072 0.225 0.151 0.042
Kim et al, 1999 [23]-low 0.438 1.206 0.369
Iregren, 1990 [81] 0.029 0.035
Yuan et al, 2006 [26] 0.079 0.053
Chang et al, 2009 [88] 0.034 0.040 0.084 0.040

Calculated as: (1) for discrete analyses, difference in score between exposed and unexposed group divided by control group score and by average cumulative exposure, or (2) for regression-based results, estimated effect at 1 mg/m3-year divided by intercept or nominal baseline normal score.

Using normal baseline levels and based on average observed community tibial bone lead levels.

Based on change per 250 μg/dL–year of cumulative lead blood level.

§

Based on change per 250 μg/dL–year of cumulative lead blood level comparing two groups: 268 versus 1227 μg/dL–year Pb (mean lead = 26.1 vs. 52.8 μg/dL, respectively).