ArticleJournal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology2026
Firearms, storage practices, and child blood lead levels and household dust lead loadings: findings from the HOME study.
Article in Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundLead is a persistent environmental toxicant associated with adverse neurodevelopmental and behavioral outcomes, with children particularly vulnerable due to heightened exposure and biological susceptibility. Although population blood lead levels in U.S. children have declined substantially, a large proportion remain above levels associated with harm, indicating ongoing exposure from additional sources. Firearms use lead-based ammunition and primers and discharging a firearm releases lead particles that can be inhaled or transported into residential environments via take-home contamination.
objectiveTo examine whether firearm ownership and storage practices were prospectively associated with children's blood lead levels and residential dust lead.
methodsIn the HOME Study (Cincinnati, Ohio, enrolled 2003-2006), blood lead levels (µg/L; 10 µg/L = 1 µg/dL) were measured at ages 12, 24, and 36 months (n = 323) and floor dust lead (µg/ft²) at baseline, 12, and 24 months (n = 316). Caregivers reported firearm ownership, number of firearms, and storage practices during pregnancy. We fit generalized estimating equations to log₂-transformed blood lead levels and log₁₀-transformed dust lead, adjusting for income, race/ethnicity, flooring, cleanliness, maternal age, and child sex.
resultsAmong firearm owners (n = 57-59 per analysis), homes where firearms were not stored or locked had 29-84% higher dust lead at baseline through age 24 months and children had ~20% higher blood lead levels at ages 12-36 months. Associations between firearm ownership and dust and blood lead levels appeared mostly null. SIGNIFICANCE: Among firearm owners, less safe storage was associated with higher floor dust and child blood lead levels, though some results were imprecise. Safe firearm and ammunition storage may reduce pediatric lead exposure in gun-owning households. IMPACT: This prospective birth cohort study evaluates household firearms and storage practices as an understudied source of pediatric exposure. Using repeated measures of children's blood and residential floor dust lead concentrations, we examined whether firearm ownership and firearm/ammunition storage practices during pregnancy were associated with lead biomarkers from birth through 36 months. Findings suggest that, among firearm-owning households, less secure storage practices are associated with higher residential dust lead and higher child blood lead levels. These results highlight a potentially modifiable exposure pathway relevant to environmental exposure science and pediatric lead prevention.
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