Policy announcements or official documents from health organizations

Study Links Lead Exposure to Mental Health Crisis Affecting 150 Million Americans, Including Depression and ADHD in Generation X

Dec 4, 2024, 06:10 PM

A recent study reveals that decades of lead exposure, particularly from leaded gasoline, has contributed to a significant mental health crisis in the United States. The research indicates that over 150 million individuals born before 1996 are at risk of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and ADHD, linked to lead exposure. The study highlights that the effects are most pronounced among Generation X, particularly those born between 1966 and 1986. The findings underscore the long-term impact of environmental factors on mental health, suggesting that lead exposure has caused more than 150 million instances of psychiatric illness that would not have occurred otherwise. Experts are calling attention to the urgent need for addressing this public health issue as the country grapples with a growing mental health crisis.