Lead, Europe and ancient Rome

What we can learn about lead poisoning from ancient Rome and bird flu
In today’s health headlines, what we learn about lead poisoning from ancient Rome. Also, putting the first bird flu death into perspective and the Food and Drug Administration is taking a closer look at making pulse oximeters effective for all skin tones.
New Study: Ancient Lead Poisoning Made People Across Europe Dumber
The Roman Empire’s massive mining industry polluted Europe’s atmosphere with lead.
How Lead Pollution During Ancient Rome’s Glory Days Shockingly Lowered IQ Across Europe
New research finds that pollution from ancient silver and lead mining during the Roman Empire resulted in lowered intelligence across Europe.
Ancient Lead Poisoning May Have Contributed to the Roman Empire’s Downfall
Learn how researchers examined lead levels in ice cores dating back to the Roman Empire, and found concentrations high enough to affect IQs.
Lead pollution in ancient Rome may have dropped average IQ by up to 3 points, study finds
Lead pollution in ancient Rome likely dropped the average IQ, a study found. The research is based on an analysis of ice cores extracted from Greenland.
Lead pollution in ancient Rome may have lowered IQ levels, study finds
In ancient Rome, lead was widely used in glazed table wares, paints, cosmetics, and was intentionally ingested as well as being present in air pollution from mining and smelting.
Lead pollution in the air impacted all ancient Romans
The researchers first took measurements of lead deposited in three Arctic ice cores every year between 500 BCE and 600 CE using techniques they have reported before. They found that lead emissions shot up around 15 BCE, soon after the rise of the Roman Empire, and dipped around 165–180 CE with the end of Pax Romana.
Ancient Romans Breathed in Enough Lead to Lower Their IQs, Study Finds. Did That Toxin Contribute to the Empire’s Fall?
Did lead poisoning contribute to the fall of the Roman Empire? It’s a question historians have long debated, since the Romans sweetened their wine with lead acetate and sipped tap water that flowed through lead pipes.
Airborne lead cut ancient Romans' IQ says study
Ancient Romans' IQ was reduced by the lead in the air they breathed, a new study says. The thirst for silver needed to mint sesterces had deleterious consequences for the health of the citizens of the Roman Empire,
Sure, the Romans Were Smart. But They Could Have Been Smarter.
Exposure to lead from mining probably lowered I.Q. levels in the empire, research has found. It might be the world’s first ...
Roman Empire’s lead pollution was high enough to lower IQs, study says
Silver fueled the rise of the Roman Empire. But the ancient process of mining and extracting silver was also making the air ...
How Pollution in Ancient Rome Lowered IQ of Population
Lead pollution might sound like a modern problem, but people were subjected to significant levels during antiquity, too.
Ancient lead pollution may have lowered IQs across the Roman Empire
The new research adds context to a long-standing debate about the role lead pollution and poisoning may have played in the ...