Preserved hair reveals just how bad lead exposure was in the 20th century
Summary
Live Science summarizes a PNAS study analyzing archived hair samples from the Salt Lake City area to track historical lead exposure. The study finds a dramatic decline in hair lead levels after EPA regulations were established, with concentrations dropping about 100-fold from 1916ā1969 to the 1970sā1990s, while noting that hair lead does not perfectly reflect blood lead levels. The article highlights policy implications, potential deregulation risks, and the ongoing public health relevance of lead exposure, especially for children.