Poisonous Lead Sees Massive Decline

The United States experienced a colossal decline in lead poisoning since the 1970s, notably among children, as serious measures have been taken to phase out the pollutant in all its forms.

In 2016, the median level of lead concentration in household paint reached only 0.7 µg/dL, an impressive 95% decrease from 1978.

In the 1970s and 1980s, strict measures were taken to get rid of lead, including leaded gasoline. American children now have more acceptable levels of lead in their system, as the US CDC fixed a target threshold of concentrations lower than 3.5 µg/dL. As of 2021, every country in the world had phased out leaded gasoline in all types of road vehicles.