Research Index entry · Study

Lead stored in bone tracked with Alzheimer’s risk; lead in blood did not

Evidence

People · association

Source

sph.umich.edu

Added

28 October 2026

What it is

The body keeps lead in bone for decades, so bone lead is a record of a lifetime’s exposure, while blood lead mostly shows the last few weeks. In US health surveys linked to Medicare, older Americans with the most estimated bone lead had nearly three times the Alzheimer’s risk of those with the least; blood lead showed no link. Bone lead was estimated by computer models, not measured.

Where it stands

An association in people, not proof of cause. Removing old lead from paint, pipes and soil protects the next generation.