A recent study has linked lead exposure from gasoline to over 150 million cases of mental health disorders in the U.S. since 1940. Published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, the research focuses on the far-reaching effects of childhood lead exposure during the peak years of leaded gasoline use.
The findings show that lead exposure significantly increased risks for depression, anxiety, ADHD, and poor impulse control. Generation X, particularly those born between 1966 and 1970, faced the greatest impact as their formative years coincided with the peak use of leaded gasoline.
Aaron Reuben, a co-author of the study, noted that removing lead from gasoline has yielded greater benefits than previously understood. “Preventing exposure is the best way to protect future generations,” Reuben said, emphasizing the importance of ongoing efforts to reduce lead levels.
While leaded gasoline was banned in 1996, exposure risks persist in older homes, soil, outdated water systems, and imported products. The CDC warns that even minimal exposure can harm the brain, nervous system, and reproductive health, particularly in children.
The study combined U.S. historical data with findings from earlier research, including a New Zealand study that followed individuals exposed to lead as children. Researchers used this information to estimate the widespread impact on mental health in the U.S. population.
Reuben hopes the findings will inspire policymakers to take further action. “Learning from past mistakes can help us create a safer future,” he said. The study serves as a stark reminder of the lasting effects of environmental lead exposure.
