Childhood exposure to leaded gasoline in the U.S. has been linked to millions of psychiatric illnesses, with effects persisting across generations.
Lauren Leffer reports for Popular Science.
In short:
- Research estimates 151 million psychiatric illnesses in the U.S. between 1940 and 2015 due to leaded gasoline exposure during childhood.
- Leaded gasoline was the largest source of lead exposure for decades, especially between the 1960s and 1980s, causing widespread developmental and mental health damage.
- Despite restrictions, current exposure from lead in paint, water lines and industrial sources continues to harm health, especially in children.
Key quote:
“Writ large, across the population, we’ve shifted the curve away from normal, healthy functioning and towards greater rates of mental illness.”
— Aaron Reuben, a study co-author and clinical neuropsychologist at the University of Virginia
Why this matters:
Lead poisoning, once ignored, has altered national mental health and personality trends while increasing cognitive and emotional struggles. Though banned in most fuel sources, lead contamination remains a public health challenge. Addressing remaining sources and expanding testing can prevent future harm.
