Overall, the discussions demonstrate high interest and engagement, with users referencing specific aspects like lead's long half-life and its role in historical decline, and expressing curiosity about the study's methodology. The tone shifts from supportive to skeptical, with some calling the IQ impact 'ridiculous,' reflecting mixed perceptions about the study's magnitude but acknowledging its importance in understanding historical pollution.
AgreementModerate agreement
Most discussions acknowledge the study's findings about lead pollution's effects on cognitive decline, showing general support.
InterestHigh interest
The topic of ancient pollution and its implications sparks high curiosity, with many engaging deeply and referencing multiple sources.
EngagementModerate engagement
Discussions involve referencing the methodology, such as ice core data, and debating the implications for history and health, indicating thoughtful engagement.
ImpactHigh impact
Several posts consider the broader consequences, including the fall of the Roman Empire and modern relevance, highlighting the study's significant impact.
Abstract in brief
The study suggests that atmospheric lead pollution from Roman-era mining and smelting significantly increased blood lead levels in the population, especially among children, contributing to cognitive decline.
Using ice core data and atmospheric modeling, researchers estimate that lead concentrations during the Roman Empire were high enough to elevate blood lead levels by approximately 24 micrograms per deciliter in children.
This elevated lead exposure could have caused a measurable reduction in intelligence quotient (IQ), with a decline of about 2.5 to 3 points across the Roman population, highlighting the widespread health impact of ancient atmospheric pollution.
Ridiculous study estimates "lead poisoning" cost ancient Romans two or three IQ points. https://t.co/LR86DjAk8c
Reality:
1. The change in blood lead level at issue (an average increase of 2.4 micrograms per deciliter) is too low to harm anyone.
2. The IQ test wasn't develop https://t.co/KI1un2rMp5
Jan 6, 2025 · 28 likes · 5 shares · 155,162 followersView post →
L石
Lyman Stone 石來民
@lymanstoneky · X
this paper is cool because they also found some teeth and checked the enamel and, lo and behold, Romans really did have a bunch of lead, even outside of major cities. https://t.co/7azl9r7t72
Jan 9, 2025 · 17 likes · 1 share · 38,148 followersView post →
BP
Bojan Pancevski
@bopanc · X
New study says the Romans suffered "widespread cognitive decline including an estimated 2.5-to-3 point reduction" in IQ in their European territories because of industrialized silver mining releasing lead into the atmosphere https://t.co/HaSQ1RK6PD
Jan 8, 2025 · 14 likes · 4 shares · 45,368 followersView post →
AS
Anise K. Strong
@anisekstrong.bsky.social · Bluesky
Oh lordy, we're back to the lead poisoning explanation for the fall of the Roman Empire. Folks with more bio & chem expertise, ( esp. @killgrove.bsky.social), what's your opinion on this study? Do 2-3 IQ pts make > difference- and how widespread?https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2419630121
“Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting” by Joe McConnell et al. PNAS
https://t.co/Rex7qVgzOh
Jan 7, 2025 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 506,662 followersView post →
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vittorio
@IterIntellectus · X
https://t.co/8Y9SVDMP9I
Jan 7, 2025 · 5 likes · 140,702 followersView post →
If all humans suddenly disappeared today, this video explores how nature would reclaim the planet, how long traces of humanity would last, and which signs of human activity might persist indefinitely. It provides a…
Anthropogenic particles, including microplastics, are widespread contaminants found in the edible tissues of US West Coast seafood species, across various trophic levels and sources. The study emphasizes the need to…
Lead is absorbed into the bloodstream and then deposited into the bones, where it can be stored for a long time.
The half-life of lead in the bones is estimated to be several decades.
Children tend to retain more lead than adults:
https://t.co/aLjGfHDVsl
https://t.co/ETq2sSoDnz https://t.co/OZkI4WMLm1
Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from #Roman-era mining and smelting | @PNASNews #Tecnoestrés https://t.co/uguapZQ0n0
Recently noted...
Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting
See it in my Zotero library.
Feb 3, 2025 · 1 like · 12,972 followersView post →
SP
Stephen Pimentel
@StephenPiment · X
Pollution is in fact bad.
Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting
Feb 3, 2025 · 3 likes · 12,972 followersView post →
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steph
@climafluttuante · X
Forse il più antico caso di inquinamento proto-industriale della storia. Ricostruito tramite indagine paleo-glaciale.
الدراسة لمن يود الاستزادة:
Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting | PNAS https://t.co/TOobRke1x8
Jan 18, 2025 · 4 likes · 1 share · 127,905 followersView post →
新
新しい天使
@neostenshi · X
【古代ローマは鉛中毒で滅亡？】古代ローマは鉛汚染で広範なIQ低下。古代ローマ鉛中毒で滅亡説もありか？
『Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting』https://t.co/kAgx5jB30S https://t.co/5d72IACL90 https://t.co/mqE6CgBtzL
this paper is cool because they also found some teeth and checked the enamel and, lo and behold, Romans really did have a bunch of lead, even outside of major cities. https://t.co/7azl9r7t72
Jan 9, 2025 · 17 likes · 1 share · 38,148 followersView post →
M
Myna
@chubbybirbster · X
RT @NeuroscienceNew: “Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and…
Jan 9, 2025 · 2 shares · 1,722 followersView post →
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/01/08/roman-empire-lead-pollution-iq-study/; https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2419630121. I think we knew this anyway, @Peternimmo, @peternimmo.bsky.social.
RT @JunkScience: Ridiculous study estimates "lead poisoning" cost ancient Romans two or three IQ points. https://t.co/LR86DjAk8c
Reality:…
Jan 8, 2025 · 5 shares · 2,115 followersView post →
AW
Andy_Weeble_Weaver
@AndrewW66619812 · X
The paper in "PNAS" the above "Science" article is based upon, & links to:
“Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting”
2/2
https://t.co/unD07NizlA
Good summary of an excellent new research publication highly relevant to #sustainability: McConnell etal: "Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting." PNAS, 122(3), e2419630121. (2025). doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
RT @bopanc: New study says the Romans suffered "widespread cognitive decline including an estimated 2.5-to-3 point reduction" in IQ in thei…
Jan 8, 2025 · 4 shares · 2,099 followersView post →
AS
Anise K. Strong
@anisekstrong.bsky.social · Bluesky
Oh lordy, we're back to the lead poisoning explanation for the fall of the Roman Empire. Folks with more bio & chem expertise, ( esp. @killgrove.bsky.social), what's your opinion on this study? Do 2-3 IQ pts make > difference- and how widespread?https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2419630121
RT @velitesgear | Full Text Article: https://t.co/Ukx3YyCkH9 | Author: @PNASNews Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume 122, Issue 3, J…
RT @RolandBakerIII: Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and sm…
Jan 8, 2025 · 1 share · 8,182 followersView post →
RB
Roland Baker
@RolandBakerIII · X
Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting
https://t.co/dYtR2eLsfL
Jan 8, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share · 8,182 followersView post →
LC
La Scienza Coatta
@ScienzaCoatta · X
I #romani erano ntelligenti, ma potevano esse + ntelligenti se avessero manovrato meno #metalli
Già allora l'inquinamento menava!
https://t.co/eNIWGzaLaX
RT @bopanc: New study says the Romans suffered "widespread cognitive decline including an estimated 2.5-to-3 point reduction" in IQ in thei…
Jan 8, 2025 · 4 shares · 7,395 followersView post →
BP
Bojan Pancevski
@bopanc · X
New study says the Romans suffered "widespread cognitive decline including an estimated 2.5-to-3 point reduction" in IQ in their European territories because of industrialized silver mining releasing lead into the atmosphere https://t.co/HaSQ1RK6PD
Jan 8, 2025 · 14 likes · 4 shares · 45,368 followersView post →
LF
Lindsay Powell FRHistS
@Lindsay_Powell · X
@SkyNews Link to source paper in @PNASNews: https://t.co/y3SIJ5bFtt
RT @NeuroscienceNew: “Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and…
Jan 7, 2025 · 2 shares · 1,158 followersView post →
DL
Diane Lange
@DclareDiane · X
RT @JunkScience: Ridiculous study estimates "lead poisoning" cost ancient Romans two or three IQ points. https://t.co/LR86DjAk8c
Reality:…
Jan 7, 2025 · 5 shares · 10,292 followersView post →
NR
Norm Roulet
@NormRoulet · X
Why email my former attorneys at Jones Day are guilty of premeditated genocide, malpractice and treason Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting Joseph R. McConnell
https://t.co/tkZ8qfHE8r
Did lead pollution lower IQs across the Roman Empire?
@PopularScience reports on "new research linking lead air pollution to cognitive losses during the Pax Romana."
https://flip.it/FidVo_
The complete study: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2419630121
#Roman #Pollution #Archaeology […]
Roulet's Law Proof Why Nazis Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting | PNAS https://t.co/pKEkELMrqP
Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
“Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting” by Joe McConnell et al. PNAS
https://t.co/Rex7qVgzOh
Jan 7, 2025 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 506,662 followersView post →
V
vittorio
@IterIntellectus · X
https://t.co/8Y9SVDMP9I
Jan 7, 2025 · 5 likes · 140,702 followersView post →
TR
The Materials Room
@materialsroom · X
RT @FAgulloRueda: Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smel…
Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Evidence from the Roman era indicates substantial lead exposure
...
this air pollution enhanced childhood blood lead levels ... leading to widespread cognitive decline including an estimated 2.5-to-3 point reduction in intelligence quotient. https://t.co/p1fHpzWJX5
https://t.co/3ds4mtp3xj
Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting
@ICMRDELHI @DHFWKA
#RomanEmpire’s use of #lead lowered #IQ levels across #Europe, study finds - Widespread use of metal caused estimated 2- to 3-point drop in IQ for nearly 180 years of Pax Romana.
https://t.co/iPadBHEoeD https://t.co/yBmYENjcAX
Jan 7, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share · 941 followersView post →
M
Maria
@airpollution.bsky.social · Bluesky
Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting | PNAS
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting | PNAS https://t.co/WBgG1dZJrh
Jan 7, 2025 · 5 likes · 3 shares · 3,251 followersView post →
McConnell et al used ice core data to quantify lead pollution produced during the prosperous Pax Romana (~27 BCE to 180 CE) and correlated it to drops in IQ.
Published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences @PNASNews
https://t.co/a64QGJr912
RT @JunkScience: Ridiculous study estimates "lead poisoning" cost ancient Romans two or three IQ points. https://t.co/LR86DjAk8c
Reality:…
Jan 6, 2025 · 5 shares · 5,650 followersView post →
DW
David T. Williams
@1HermitCrab · X
RT @JunkScience: Ridiculous study estimates "lead poisoning" cost ancient Romans two or three IQ points. https://t.co/LR86DjAk8c
Reality:…
Jan 6, 2025 · 5 shares · 1,667 followersView post →
SM
Steve Milloy
@JunkScience · X
Ridiculous study estimates "lead poisoning" cost ancient Romans two or three IQ points. https://t.co/LR86DjAk8c
Reality:
1. The change in blood lead level at issue (an average increase of 2.4 micrograms per deciliter) is too low to harm anyone.
2. The IQ test wasn't develop https://t.co/KI1un2rMp5
Jan 6, 2025 · 28 likes · 5 shares · 155,162 followersView post →
H
Hmmm...
@HmmmNiceee · X
A new study finds lead pollution likely caused widespread IQ declines in ancient Rome
https://t.co/0mmH2u88Si
Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting | PNAS https://t.co/G3gcmS2vmn
AGU.PUK（Agusa Lab. at Prefectural University of Kumamoto / 熊本 ...
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pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas. 2419630121 · SCIENCE.ORG. Ancient Romans likely breathed lead pollution. Ice cores show ancient silver production produced le ...
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... 10.1073/pnas.2419630121/ (Sumber imej: Julian Elliott via Science) ... Pautan untuk mencapai laporan lengkap kajian: https: //www.pnas.org/doi/abs ...
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