Lead Exposure Tied to Gen X Mental Health Crisis
A new study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry suggests that leaded petrol may have contributed to a mental health crisis among Generation X, with an estimated 151 million additional mental health disorders linked to lead exposure. The study highlights increased rates of anxiety, depression, ADHD, and neuroticism, alongside decreased conscientiousness. Despite the known toxicity of lead, its widespread use in petrol throughout the 20th century has had lasting effects on public health, with implications for educational outcomes, criminal behavior, and overall societal well-being.