How much more lead will a child's body absorb compared to an adult after the same exposure?

A child's body absorbs lead more efficiently than an adult's body due to several physiological differences. Children have a higher absorption rate of lead, which is partly because their developing bodies are in a critical growth phase, and their digestive systems can absorb higher quantities of metal.

For instance, children often have a higher ratio of surface area to body mass, which can lead to increased absorption rates of lead when it enters the system. Additionally, factors such as faster metabolism and the ongoing development of the nervous system may make them more susceptible to the effects of lead exposure. This heightened absorption is why lead exposure poses greater risks to young children compared to adults, who typically have mechanisms that can help reduce lead absorption and also a fully developed nervous system that is less susceptible to lead’s neurotoxic effects.

While "it varies" might suggest that different factors could influence absorption depending on specific situations, the general understanding is that children consistently absorb more lead than adults after the same exposure. Hence, the most accurate characterization is that children absorb more lead, reflecting the significance of age when evaluating lead exposure risk.