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ancient

modern

ancient Lead poisoning played a major role in the decline and fall of the Roman empire We have known that lead is poisonous for at least 4,000 years. The earliest recorded account of lead poisoning was written by Nicander of Colophon in the second century BC. Ancient times: Lead was used in many ways, including in tools, utensils, and wine. Lead poisoning was common in workers of low social classes. Roman Empire: Lead was used more extensively in the Mediterranean basin after the Romans conquered Britain. Some believe lead poisoning contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire due to it's use as a preservative in wine. Think of Caligula. Doctors have known that high doses of lead are poisonous since at least the time of Hippocrates and Nicander is credited with writing the earliest recorded account of lead poisoning in the second century B.C.E.

modern Industrialization of lead People have known that lead is poisonous in paint since the early 1900s. But, it wasn't until 1978 that lead-based paints were banned in the United States. 1878: Children were forbidden to work in white lead factories in the UK. 1883: The Factories (Prevention of Lead Poisoning) Act was approved in the UK. Early 1900s: Lead-containing paint was a main source of lead poisoning in children. 1940s: The lead industry began to reduce the amount of lead in interior paints. 1970s: Concerns about low levels of lead exposure began. 1978: Lead-based paints were banned in the United States. Lead in other products 1979: Herbert Needleman, a pediatrician and child psychiatrist, documented the dangers of even low levels of lead exposure. Symptoms of lead poisoning are: difficulty concentrating, Irritability, Learning disabilities, Behavioral disorders, Slowed development, Anemia, Seizure, Madness and other Neurological problems, Coma and Death.