The study found that the average IQ scores of children with blood-lead levels that were barely below the federal standard were still about five points lower than the IQ scores of children with substantially lower levels.  

"Even after taking into consideration family and environmental factors known to affect a child's cognitive performance, blood-lead played a significant role in predicting nonverbal IQ scores," said Richard Canfield, a Cornell researcher and senior author of the study.  

In the United States over the last several months, nearly 50 products, including millions of toys for young children, have been recalled due to excessive lead in their paint, plastic, and metal. This study's findings emphasize the dangers associated with even low-level exposures.  

Other potential sources of lead poisoning include imported food stored in lead-glazed pottery and certain plastic, contaminated soil, and metallic and lead-based paint.

In response to earlier and ongoing concerns about lead poisoning, Oregon has a Lead Poisoning Prevention Program to eliminate childhood lead poisoning by identifying and caring for lead poisoned children and adults and preventing environmental exposures to lead.