Summary
Childhood lead exposure from leaded gasoline caused 151 million additional psychiatric illnesses in the U.S. between 1940 and 2015, according to new research.
Peak exposure occurred for Generation X (1966–1986 births) due to widespread use of leaded gasoline before its 1996 ban.
The study links lead exposure to higher rates of depression, anxiety, ADHD, and altered personality traits, including increased neuroticism and reduced conscientiousness.
Lead pollution also caused a collective loss of 824 million IQ points in Americans.
As a gen xer I still think this is likely a lowball estimate. But it’s still good to see the numbers. And still depressing to have to point out all the lead pipes still in use. Granted if they’re well maintained they’re “safe”. But seeing “maintenance” in a major population centers in a red state lacking. Knowing the rural areas are far far worse. Well, there’s going to be plenty lead addled millennials and zoomers too. And less will to fix it. 🤐
My God. We really are speed running “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire” aren’t we? I always thought of it more in the sense of political and social decay. But we even have the god-damned lead pipes!