(DETROIT) -- Detroit has some of the highest levels of lead poisoning among children in the nation. A recent study in the Detroit Public Schools found that increased lead poisoning in a child's blood increases the likelihood of that child receiving lower test scores.
Detroit's high rate of lead poisoning is due in part to the city's older homes.
According to the Detroit Free Press, the study looked at blood tests and standardized test scores for over 21,000 students in Detroit Public Schools.
According to the study, children with 2 to 5 micrograms per deciliter were 33% more likely to perform poorly on tests. Students with over 5 micrograms per deciliter were 50% more likely to perform poorly.
The Center for Disease Control's level of concern for lead poisoning is 5 micrograms per deciliter.
A 2010 report found that out of 39,199 Detroit students, only 23 did not have lead in their systems.
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