A new study reveals a startling connection between lead exposure from gasoline and mental health disorders, estimating that over 151 million excess cases of psychiatric conditions in the U.S. over the past 75 years can be attributed to this environmental toxin.
The research, published on December 5, 2024, in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, shows that exposure to leaded gasoline—phased out in 1996—during childhood has left lasting mental health scars. The study, conducted by researchers from Duke University, Florida State University, and the Medical University of South Carolina, analyzed blood lead levels from 1940 to 2015. It found that lead exposure from car exhaust during critical developmental years has contributed to increased rates of anxiety, depression, ADHD, and other mental health disorders in generations of Americans.
Lead exposure, particularly during childhood, also resulted in lowered impulse control, heightened neuroticism, and a propensity for inattentiveness and hyperactivity, according to the study. The mental health and personality impacts were most pronounced among people born between 1966 and 1986, with the most severe effects seen in Generation X, particularly those born between 1966 and 1970. This group experienced peak lead exposure during the height of leaded gasoline use in the 1960s and 1970s.
Aaron Reuben, a co-author of the study and a postdoctoral scholar at Duke University and the Medical University of South Carolina, highlighted the long-term impact of lead exposure. “People born during those years can’t go back in time and change that,” he said, adding that the findings underscore the importance of removing lead from our environment. “The more evidence we gather, the clearer it becomes that eliminating lead has far-reaching benefits for public health.”
The study also found that those born around 1940 and after 2015 had the lowest exposure to lead and, consequently, the least mental health burden related to lead exposure.
While leaded gasoline is no longer in use, lead remains a threat in other forms, including old paint, soil, and water pipes. Despite these efforts, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stresses that there is no safe level of lead exposure. Even low amounts can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and neurological damage, with young children being the most vulnerable.
Reuben and his team combined data from blood lead levels and historical exposure estimates, as well as findings from earlier studies, including a 2019 study of New Zealand children. While the new research does not definitively establish a causal link between lead exposure and mental health disorders, it strengthens the growing body of evidence suggesting that the harmful effects of lead exposure are far more profound than previously understood.
The findings call for increased vigilance and continued efforts to eliminate lead from the environment, particularly in areas where it remains a significant risk.
Related topics:
New Sleep Study Offers Insights into Cognitive Benefits and Potential Therapies
Nasal Spray May Offer Future Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease, Researchers Say
Research Breakthrough in Diabetes Treatment: Targeting Inceptor to Regenerate Beta Cells
