"Study Links ADHD to Smoking, Lead"

"Exposure to both tobacco smoke before birth and lead during childhood increases a child's risk of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) more than eight-fold, according to new research from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Eliminating both environmental exposures could reduce the number of ADHD cases in children 8-15 by about 35 percent, researchers led by Tanya Froehlich in the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics found.

That translates to up to 800,000 children nationwide, Froehlich said.

The findings suggest possible prevention strategies for ADHD, she said."

Peggy O'Farrell reports for the Cincinnati Enquirer November 22, 2009.