A study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry has found that exposure to leaded gasoline caused more than 150 million mental health disorders in the U.S. over the last 75 years. By analyzing blood lead levels in children from 1940 to 2015, researchers revealed the far-reaching effects of this environmental hazard.
The study identified a strong connection between lead exposure and increased rates of depression, anxiety, ADHD, and impulsivity. People born between 1966 and 1986 were disproportionately affected, with those born during the late 1960s carrying the heaviest burden due to peak leaded gasoline use.
“People born during those years can’t go back in time and change that,” said Aaron Reuben, one of the study’s co-authors. He stressed that removing lead from the environment has proven to yield more significant benefits than previously understood.
Although leaded gasoline was banned in 1996, lead contamination persists in older homes, soil, water service lines, and imported products. The CDC maintains that no level of lead exposure is safe, as even small amounts can lead to developmental and neurological damage.
The study builds on earlier research, including a 2019 study from New Zealand that tracked children’s mental health over decades. By applying existing findings to U.S. data, the researchers were able to estimate the nationwide impact of lead exposure on mental health.
Reuben highlighted the importance of prevention and further reductions in lead exposure. “Learning from the past is key to avoiding future harm,” he said, urging policymakers to prioritize efforts to protect children from this ongoing risk.
