I ate lead paint chips I turned out fine... None of those felony charges stuck. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckeye_CableSystem http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B

I ate lead paint chips I turned out fine... None of those felony charges stuck. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckeye_CableSystem http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckeye_CableSystem I don't doubt that the reduction of lead in our environment has reduced the amount of mental illness. But I also think changes to truancy laws in the US in the 70s helped, advancements in psychotherapies, and drugs for the treatment of mental illness helped. Identification of treatments for ADD and ADHD helped. Changes in the economy helped, we had more women in the workforce which meant we had more ability for families to survive father's unemployment. Wider adoption of TV meant people became more aware of crime, and criminals were easier to catch. So yes, lead removal was probably a contributor, but I think it was bigger than that.