Study links lead pollution to potential IQ decline in ancient Romans

New research indicates that ancient Romans may have experienced a 2.5- to 3-point drop in IQ due to lead pollution from silver mining and smelting. This finding adds to the ongoing debate about whether lead poisoning contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire. Using Arctic ice core samples, scientists found increased lead levels during the Pax Romana, from 15 B.C.E. to 180 C.E. They estimate that between 3,300 and 4,600 tons of lead were released annually, affecting air quality across Europe. The study highlights the vulnerability of children to lead exposure, linking higher blood lead levels to cognitive decline. However, some experts remain skeptical about the extent of lead's impact on the empire's collapse.