Lead Poisoning in Humans: A 2-Million-Year History
Lead has been poisoning humans for over 2 million years, with the toxic metal potentially rewiring early human brains and influencing the fate of the Neanderthals.
Today, lead exposure is often associated with a post-industrialized world, but new evidence suggests that this is not a new issue. An interdisciplinary approach to geoarchaeological analysis reveals that Homo sapiens and their hominid ancestors have struggled with lead for millions of years.
A study published in Science Advances on October 15 found that lead's influence is pervasive, potentially affecting the evolution of human brains, behavior, and language. Additionally, the ability to withstand some of the metal's worst impacts may have contributed to the survival of Homo sapiens over the Neanderthals.
Exposure to lead may have rewired early human brains and sealed the Neanderthals' fate.
Author's summary: Lead poisoning has affected humans for over 2 million years.