@obscurestar @tasket @martinvermeer Yes, caution is merited. A recent meta-analysis showed there probably is an association between lead exposure and crime, but the relationship is not cut-and-dry. It explains some of the variance, but there are other contingent factors or "confounders" at play, with kids exposed to high lead and also having greater socioeconomic need showing the biggest negative effect. The review authors point out many studies do not account for that and some other interactive effects. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10393136/#sec011

@Sassinake the paper actually explicitly calls this out in a way I rarely see in a discussion section. very powerful and kind of chilling

@vkc thanks for calling out this toxic behavior! I've observed it too. in a time when we're literally *ruled* by a guy who various naysayers said was a troll who should just be ignored and minimized, the suggestion we should just ignore creepiness really falls flat

The study from Cerling et al. I saw Thure Cerling talk about his work when I was a grad student, fascinating stuff! https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2525498123

Comparing historical hair samples from people from when they were babies to today, a new study finds a nearly 100-fold decrease in lead from samples after the EPA's crackdown on leaded gas. Regulation works and it saves lives!
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/02/a-century-of-hair-samples-proves-leaded-gas-ban-worked/