In ancient Rome, poisonous lead was so common in the air that the average person’s IQ could drop 2.5 to 3 points. TV channel reported this NBC News Citing a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The study raises the question of what role lead pollution played in the collapse of the Roman Empire. Lead is a potent neurotoxin that continues to pose a threat to human health to this day. There is no safe amount for the body. Exposure to it causes learning disabilities, reproductive problems, mental health problems, and increases the risk of hearing loss.
The authors linked lead found in ice samples from Greenland to ancient Roman silver smelters and found that pollution from them may have affected much of Europe.
Scientists explained that during the melting process of silver, lead binds to dust particles in the atmosphere. A small portion of these particles flew away and settled in Greenland.
Researchers found that lead levels in Rome were nearly twice as high as the levels American children are exposed to today. People living closest to the silver mines in Iberia (modern Spain) had the most lead in their blood.
But NBC said the findings likely do not fully reflect the health effects of lead exposure in ancient Rome because Romans were exposed to lead from other sources, including sweetened wine in lead containers, lead plumbing fixtures and lead drinking vessels.
Previously reportedHuman bones cremated in ancient wine were found.
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Source: Gazeta
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.