Is lead poisoning behind Generation X’s mental health struggles?
By Claire Wolters | Fact-checked by Davi Sherman
Published January 2, 2025
Industry Insights
“A significant burden of mental illness symptomatology and disadvantageous personality differences can be attributed to US children's exposure to lead over the past 75 years.” - study researchers
Childhood lead exposure may have contributed to an estimated 151 million excess mental health disorders by 2015.[1] A new study looked at the impact of historic leaded gasoline on childhood blood lead levels (BLL) and mental health outcomes over the last 75 years.
“A significant burden of mental illness symptomatology and disadvantageous personality differences can be attributed to US children's exposure to lead over the past 75 years,” the researchers wrote. “Lead's potential contribution to psychiatry, medicine, and children's health may be larger than previously assumed.”
The study focused on children born between 1940 and 2015. Within that range, the researchers found that lead-associated mental health and personality differences were most pronounced for people born between 1966 and 1986: Generation X.
Lead exposure and health risks
Is lead poisoning behind Generation X’s mental health struggles? | MDLinx
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