In 2015, 170 million Americans were exposed to harmful levels of lead in childhood. Because of this, the IQ level of these people has dropped by 2.6 points. These startling figures have come out in a study to know the widespread use of lead in America between 1940 and 2015.
The study, published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, said that based on blood tests and censuses, more than half of the current adult Americans were exposed to direct lead in childhood. The blood lead level of this population is five micrograms per deciliter (100 milliliters).
Scientists from Florida State University and Duke University also found that 90 percent of babies born in the US between 1950 and 1981 had high blood lead levels.
what is iq level
IQ stands for Intelligent Questions. It depends on the ability of your brain to understand. To check this, some questions are asked according to age. The IQ level is divided into points based on the answers to the questions.
IQ score scale
70-79 very poor average
80-89 low average
110-120 Wise
130-140 very intelligent
150-170 Talented
over 180 very talented
There was a ban on fuel containing lead
According to data from the US Geological Survey, researchers from the early 1940s to the late 1980s examined the effects of lead-containing fuels on the atmosphere. This was followed by a phased ban on such fuels used in vehicles in the 1970s. It was completely banned in 1996.
no drastic steps taken
Florida State University professor and study researcher Michael McFarland said the study’s findings are “outrageous”. It was known a long time ago that lead affects health. Despite this, strict steps were not taken to ban its use then.
27 crore children affected in India
According to a recent report related to lead poisoning, India leads the world in terms of lead poisoning in children. It affects 800 million children in the world. Most of these are poor and low-income countries. At the same time, 27.5 crore children are affected by lead in India.
These are the main reasons
The major cause of lead poisoning is unsafe recycling of lead acid batteries. In addition, electronic waste, mining and its use in spices, paints, children’s toys can also be important sources of lead. By controlling this, children can be saved from being affected by it.