Although many thought that lead poisoning has been largely abated over the last decade, the Flint water crisis has reminded the country that lead poisoning is a real threat for many children and families. You can check out a January WCCF post on the health concerns that remain. It’s well established that lead exposure is damaging to the physical health and well-being of children, but there are also concerning links to juvenile justice. As Flint prepares for its lead-tainted future, it’s important to understand how lead exposure today will affect the juvenile justice system of tomorrow.
Exposure to lead in childhood has deleterious effects on children’s brains, inhibiting brain development and leading to reduced levels of IQ, shortened attention spans, and reduced educational achievement—all of which are related to juvenile delinquency. In addition, lead exposure affects parts of the brain that help youth make good decisions, such as brain areas involved in impulse control, emotion regulation, and managing antisocial behavior. Although neurological research shows that all youth have developing brains that are still learning to control impulses and emotions, youth with lead-damaged brains may have a particularly difficult time mastering these skills—getting them involved in the juvenile justice system.
WCCF has blogged about the link between lead and juvenile justice before, in November 2015 and May 2014, but the connection will likely be especially evident in Flint as lead-exposed children become young adults. Michigan’s juvenile justice system should prepare for a potential increase in young people who commit delinquent acts, but also consider ways to serve and support these youth. As a generation of lead-exposed children in Flint grows, long-lasting efforts to minimize the damage caused are vital to the future of Flint and surrounding areas.
By Karissa Propson
