This was the finding of a recent study, entitled "Baseline Health Profile of Communities in the Metro Manila Air Shed," conducted by Professor Elma Torres and Dr. Joselito Gapas of the University of the Philippines.
The study covered 54 barangays located along busy roads like EDSA, España and Taft avenues.
Some 1,079 households were interviewed for socio-demographic and health profiles while 207 children between ages six and 10 were tested for the lead content of their blood.
The study revealed that a significant number of children in the study area had lead levels exceeding the 20 micrograms-per-deciliter limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), Torres said.
Lead, found in the exhaust fumes of motor vehicles, is the most harmful toxin to children because it adversely affects the nervous system, decreases their intelligence quotients (IQ) and slows down motor skills.