As many as 170 million people in the U.S. are believed to have been cognitively affected by car exhaust. Researchers from Duke and Florida State University focused on people born before 1996, the year leaded gas was banned in the U.S.
As many as 170 million people in the U.S. are believed to have been cognitively affected by car exhaust.
Researchers from Duke and Florida State University focused on people born before 1996, the year leaded gas was banned in the U.S.People born in the 1960s and 1970s usually lost up to 6 IQ points.In some cases, a loss of IQ points in the single digits may not be significant. But for people who already have a “below-average” cognitive ability, the loss in points could be enough to be classified as having an intellectual disability.Lead was first added to gasoline in 1923, to help car engines run smooth and stay healthy.
Since the 1990s, lead has been replaced with other less harmful additives. Scientists and doctors have reiterated again and again that no amount of lead is safe for the human body.