By Dr. Chinta Sidharthan Reviewed by Lily Ramsey, LLM Nov 4 2024 Persistent lead exposure linked to cognitive decline, heart disease, and developmental issues—posing ongoing risks despite decades of reduction efforts. Study:  Lead Poisoning . Image Credit: Kim Britten/Shutterstock.com In a recent review published in the New England Journal of Medicine , researchers found that lead poisoning continued to be a serious health concern despite significant reductions in lead exposure since the 1970s.