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Did lead pollution lower IQs across the Roman Empire?
@PopularScience reports on "new research linking lead air pollution to cognitive losses during the Pax Romana."
The complete study: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2419630121
Popular Science · Ancient lead pollution may have lowered IQs across the Roman Empire'To my knowledge, it’s the first large-scale pollution event from industrial activities.'
Why is there any doubt? We know chronic lead poisoning can decrease IQ, and we know that the Romans used the shit out of lead.
@ScienceDesk @PopularScience Interesting to learn that it had to do with the production of silver. And today, the refining of another ore – bitcoin – can poison the environment as well. Just like the old days. Hooray!