Exposure to lead increases the risk of meningioma and brain cancer: A meta-analysis

J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2020 Jul:60:126474. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2020.126474. Epub 2020 Feb 27.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the relationship between environmental lead exposure and various types of brain tumors.

Methods: Search databases PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) as of July 1, 2019. Stata 15.0 software was used for analysis.

Results: In the case control, lead exposure was associated with gliomas and meningiomas 0.82 (95 % CI: 0.69, 0.95) and 1.06 (95 % CI: 0.65, 1.46). In the cohort study, lead exposure was associated with brain cancer and meningiomas 1.07 (95 % CI: 0.95, 1.19) and 1.06 (95 % CI: 0.94, 1.17). The risk of childhood brain tumors associated with parental lead exposure was 1.17 (95 % CI: 0.99, 1.34).

Conclusions: Lead may be a risk factor for meningiomas and brain cancers. However, the glioma results suggest that lead may be a protective factor, which needs to be further studied.

Keywords: Brain tumor; Lead exposure; Meta-analysis.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Lead / adverse effects*
  • Meningioma / chemically induced*
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Lead