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Is the Roman Empire the only known historical example of presumed widespread cognitive decline in a society due to exposure to toxic substances? (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 weeks ago by WHARRGARBL@lemmy.world to c/askhistorians@lemmy.world

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[–] Delta_V@lemmy.world 15 points 3 weeks ago

There's been a significant decline in the number of serial killings following the phase-out of leaded gasoline. Violent crime peaked in the 1970s and 1980s, coinciding with the developmental years of individuals exposed to peak environmental lead levels in the 1960s, and dropped 80% in subsequent decades as lead was removed from fuel and paint.

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