Study finds links between low levels of lead exposure and strep throat in children

by Charles Anzalone, University at Buffalo

edited by Swati Mestri, reviewed by Andrew Zinin

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Even low levels of lead exposure can increase the risk of strep throat in children, according to new research from the University at Buffalo.

Researchers examined medical record data on more than 13,000 children ages 14 or younger in Philadelphia from 2010–20.

(Lead exposure data were collected through routine blood lead screening. Medical records also were checked for a clinical diagnosis of strep throat or croup.)

Compared with children whose blood lead concentration was under 1 microgram per deciliter, which is below public health intervention thresholds, children with levels between 1 and 3.4 micrograms per deciliter had about 2.5 times the odds of being diagnosed with strep.

Children at or above 3.5 micrograms per deciliter—the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's threshold for taking public health action—had about 2.7 times the odds.

Higher lead concentrations were also associated with more frequent strep diagnoses. Researchers found no clear association between lead exposure and croup.

"This work is directly related to health inequities and structural barriers faced in many older cities, including Buffalo," says the study's corresponding author, Marina Oktapodas Feiler, assistant professor of epidemiology and environmental health in the UB School of Public Health and Health Professions (SPHHP). "Homes and other residences in these cities have historical lead paint that can chip, making dust and deteriorating windows specifically problematic."

Oktapodas Feiler, who is director of the school's Master of Public Health Concentration in Maternal and Child Health, adds, "Renters and those of lower income are disproportionately affected as they cannot maintain the homes or make appropriate renovations which remove lead."

The study, "Environmental lead exposure and clinical infectious respiratory disease in a sample of urban and disadvantaged children," was published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology on Sept. 19.

Environmental lead exposure in children can adversely affect the development and maturation of the immune system and increase susceptibility to infectious respiratory illnesses, the researchers say. Despite these effects, scientific evidence of childhood respiratory outcomes linked to lead exposure remains inconclusive.

The study also adds evidence linking lead exposure to damage to the immune systems of developing children. The effects of lead exposure were evident even at levels below blood lead action levels established by the CDC.

This value—which is based on the 97.5th percentile of blood lead concentrations among children in the United States—is meant to alert clinicians to increase observation and potentially recommend remediation of lead exposure in the home but does not have any health indications.

More information

Eva Odiko et al., Environmental lead exposure and clinical infectious respiratory disease in a sample of urban and disadvantaged children, Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41370-026-00978-0

Key medical concepts

Streptococcal PharyngitisCroup

Clinical categories

PediatricsChildren's healthPreventive medicineCommon illnesses & Prevention Provided by University at Buffalo Who's behind this story?

Swati Mestri

Swati Mestri holds a bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering and has worked as a content editor since 2019. She has experience editing research documents across technology, health care, and materials science, and has a particular interest in technology and space. Full profile →

Andrew Zinin

Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X's editorial success. Full profile →

Citation: Study finds links between low levels of lead exposure and strep throat in children (2026, October 26) retrieved 27 October 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-10-links-exposure-strep-throat-children.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.