Lead: America’s Real Criminal Element

Author: Kevin Drum

Experts have argued for decades about how to reduce crime in America, citing drugs, poverty, under-policing, or any other number of factors as its chief cause. But what if none of these explanations hold up? Turns out, the strongest correlate to crime increases is none other than lead. “All of these studies tell the same story: Gasoline lead is responsible for a good share of the rise and fall of violent crime over the past half century.”

This research further validates the claim that crime is a public health issue.

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