3 ms·
> Each lead-exposed child costs an estimated $5600 in medical and special educational services.7 Lead exposure-related cognitive impairments cost an estimated $
by andrepd 5y ago
> Each lead-exposed child costs an estimated $5600 in medical and special educational services.7 Lead exposure-related cognitive impairments cost an estimated $50.9 billion annually in lost US economic productivity
It's quite disturbing to phrase things this way.
- nybble41 5y agoI don't see it as disturbing, just focused. This phrasing helps to put the problem into perspective from one particular point of view—the cost in economic productivity. It does not imply that this is the only cost, or that there aren't other equally valid perspectives to consider.
- munk-a 5y agoYes - the quantification of the problem helps with comprehension but also opens the door for balancing trade offs in a manner we'd likely find distasteful. If the lead industry generated 60 billion of completely new money I'd still be in favor of outlawing it even if it was a net loss for the economy - since general quality of life is lowered by lead poisoning (especially since it has been linked strongly to anger issues).