Lead Exposure and Crime

• In Event: Biosocial Criminology: The Effects of Neighborhoods and Environmental Toxins

Abstract

While lead exposure during childhood has been linked to criminal activity later in life, prior research has failed to develop a theoretical foundation explaining why lead and crime rates are positively related at the aggregate level. Utilizing tract-level data, we examine the relationship among elevated blood lead level rates, levels of concentrated disadvantage, and crime rates. Through a biosocial approach, we explore the lead-crime relationship using a measure of concentrated disadvantage to account for the variations across tracts. Finally, we discuss the results of this study as well as implications for public policy and future research.

Authors

• Tara Martin, University of South Carolina

• Scott E. Wolfe, University of South Carolina

• Robert J. Kaminski, University of South Carolina