LOS ANGELES, U.S.: Researchers have recently examined shed primary teeth of children living near the Exide Technologies plant in Verona, California. The research team believes that looking at lead in teeth could be an effective technique to detect and subsequently reduce industrial lead exposure in children.

For the study, researchers from USC collected 50 primary teeth from 43 children in five communities: Boyle Heights, Maywood, East Los Angeles, Commerce and Huntington Park. Using laser ablation and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, an analytical technique for molecular-level information, the researchers were able to look at the teeth layer by layer and assign time points for lead contamination. They also measured lead and arsenic in the dentine and could identify lead contamination acquired during the baby’s first year, when infants are at higher risk of exposure.