Violent Crime: It's the Lead?

In an article questioning how much credit Rudolph Giuliani deserves for reducing crime in New York City, today's Washington Post discusses the research of economist Rick Nevin. Nevin argues that variations in violent crime are significantly related to childhood exposure to lead. He has studied crime rates and lead exposure in nine countries and concluded that "[s]ixty-five to ninety percent or more of the substantial variation in violent crime in all these countries was explained by lead."

The Post article is here. A more detailed discussion of Nevin's research is here.

Comments

[Lose Weight Fast]

A correlation doesn't necessarily mean hard facts. You're not going to suddenly become a criminal who runs around mugging people just because of a lead overdose or soemthing.

[Ajlouny]

Wow, the correlation to crime and lead is startling. My suggestion is that if there is a chance it exists on your property to get it test before anything is disturbed. It only takes a small to pose as a health risk and now a mental risk.