A new study links 151 million instances of psychiatric illness to leaded gasoline.

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.

  • xmunk@sh.itjust.works
    0·
    18 days ago

    I’m the same age - you Gen Xers can’t steal me… I had to endure decades of shitty avocado toast references and can’t afford a decent fucking home. I’m millennial to my core!

    • fluxion@lemmy.worldEnglish
      0·
      17 days ago

      I tried to resist being lumped in with millennials, meekly clung to “Xennials” for a time, but I’ve accepted my place finally.

      • xmunk@sh.itjust.works
        0·
        17 days ago

        Did you buy a detached house before you joined us? If not you’ll probably need to wait until at least 2060 to afford one.

        • fluxion@lemmy.worldEnglish
          0·
          17 days ago

          Fortunately I did manage to exploit my then in-between status to purchase a home before covid, but i had to permanently sacrifice avocado toast to do it.