Lead exposure has a range of health consequences, with even relatively low levels affecting children’s cognitive development.
In particular, a new study by scientists from the Desert Research Institute (USA) indicates that lead could lead to a noticeable decrease in IQ levels in ancient Europe. The press service of the university reports this.
Scientists used samples recovered from Arctic ice to determine levels of lead pollution in the Arctic from 500 BC. to 600 AD This era covers the period from the rise of the Roman Republic to the fall of the Roman Empire:
- Lead isotopes allowed the research team to identify mining and smelting operations across Europe as a likely source of pollution during this period;
- using advanced computer modeling of atmospheric movements to create maps of atmospheric lead pollution levels across Europe;
- Combined with studies linking lead exposure to cognitive decline, the research team also identified a likely decline in IQ levels of at least 2 to 3 points among European populations.
A 2-3 point decline in IQ is not much, but when you apply it to the entire European population, it is quite serious, the researchers note.
The study found that:
- Lead pollution of the atmosphere began in the Iron Age and reached its peak at the end of the 2nd century. BC e, during the heyday of the Roman Republic;
- then it decreased sharply in the 1st century. BC
- Lead pollution remained high until the Antonine Plague from 165 to 180 AD. e., which had a serious influence on the Roman Empire;
- It was not until the High Middle Ages at the beginning of the 2nd millennium AD that lead pollution in the Arctic exceeded the persistently high levels of the Roman Empire;
- More than 500 kilotons of lead were released into the atmosphere during the nearly 200-year heyday of the Roman Empire.
Although data from ice samples show that lead pollution in the Arctic was up to 40 times higher during the highest historical peak in the early 1970s, the insights gained from this study demonstrate how people affect their health thousands of years after industrialization. activity,” the article notes.
Ancient lead contamination was primarily linked to silver mining, where the lead-rich mineral galena was smelted to extract the silver. For every unit of silver produced, this process produced thousands of units of lead, much of which was released into the atmosphere.
In the 20th century, lead pollution came primarily from emissions from cars burning leaded gasoline.
Following the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970, which restricted the use of leaded gasoline, researchers tracked a sharp decline in lead levels in human blood. However, collected medical data, especially on children born between 1950 and 1985, allowed scientists to track its effects on health and cognitive development.
- in adults, high levels of lead exposure are associated with infertility, anemia, memory loss, cardiovascular disease, cancer and decreased immune response, among other effects;
- in children, even low levels of lead exposure lead to lower IQ, problems concentrating, and decreased educational performance;
- Although the CDC considers a blood lead level of 3.5 mcg/dL to be the limit for medical intervention for children, it states that there is no level of lead exposure without risk.
Flame retardants are playing a growing role in IQ loss.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.