Ancient Rome's Water Had 100 Times the Natural Lead Levels
by Geo Beats
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According to the results of a recent scientific study, there were high levels of lead in the tap water of ancient Rome. In ancient times, Rome used lead pipes to distribute water to people‘s homes, but scientific analysis shows that water traveling through these pipes had a hundred times more lead than water from the local springs nearby the city.
According to the results of a recent scientific study, there were high levels of lead in the tap water of ancient Rome.
In those times, Rome used lead pipes to distribute water to people‘s homes, but scientific analysis shows that water traveling through these pipes had a hundred times more lead than water from the local springs nearby the city.
Analysis revealed the pipes were made from material mined outside Italy including areas in Spain, England, Germany, and France.
One theory says that this high lead content in the water might have been responsible for health problems that contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire.
This has been suggested by researchers before, and the latest research contributes to the hypothesis.
The researchers noted their analysis does not reveal what health problems this may have caused and Romans at the time were apparently unaware of the health risks associated with consuming lead in the water.
Experts believe that other problems were also responsible for the fall of Rome, but the tap water being full of toxic metal couldn’t have helped.
Symptoms of repeated exposure to lead include stomach pain, cramps, and behavioral problems, among others.
According to the results of a recent scientific study, there were high levels of lead in the tap water of ancient Rome.
In those times, Rome used lead pipes to distribute water to people‘s homes, but scientific analysis shows that water traveling through these pipes had a hundred times more lead than water from the local springs nearby the city.
Analysis revealed the pipes were made from material mined outside Italy including areas in Spain, England, Germany, and France.
One theory says that this high lead content in the water might have been responsible for health problems that contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire.
This has been suggested by researchers before, and the latest research contributes to the hypothesis.
The researchers noted their analysis does not reveal what health problems this may have caused and Romans at the time were apparently unaware of the health risks associated with consuming lead in the water.
Experts believe that other problems were also responsible for the fall of Rome, but the tap water being full of toxic metal couldn’t have helped.
Symptoms of repeated exposure to lead include stomach pain, cramps, and behavioral problems, among others.