ABSTRACT
This paper presents the results of an epidemiologic study designed to assess the contribution of lead in drinking water to lead exposure in infants. Since infants are surrounded by potential sources of lead intake throughout their lives, the drinking water contribution cannot be considered as a one-time occurrence or in isolation from other potential sources such as air, dust, and food. For these reasons, a longitudinal study was conducted which involved repeated assessments of lead levels in the blood and household environments of pregnant women and their infants. Changes in infant blood lead levels during the first two years of life are related to the average levels of lead observed in each of the measured sources.
