From googling the first major study was released in 2000. Before that the connection to brain damage was known.
Was the connection to crime specifically discussed at all, even though it wasn’t proven?
From googling the first major study was released in 2000. Before that the connection to brain damage was known.
Was the connection to crime specifically discussed at all, even though it wasn’t proven?
No the lead crime hypothesis started in the 70s as you mention. The difficulty is proving it though. There are several confounding factors that are all tied together, and very strongly correlated with poverty. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6980739/ Early childhood nutrition, early education, extracurricular activities, etc. Blood lead levels go up the poorer you are and especially in the rust belt in the Midwest. In addition the drop in crime is also directly correlated to abortion being legalized by Roe v Wade (with an approximately 20 year lag time). https://law.stanford.edu/publications/the-impact-of-legalized-abortion-on-crime-over-the-last-two-decades/
Well I didn’t mention, I’m asking if it was hypothesized in the 70s. I’m asking if it was considered in the 70s. I’m asking if it was discussed in the 70s as a possible reason for the high crime rate.
I agree the proof didn’t come until much later, with the first big study in 2000. But before things are proven they can be hypothesized and discussed for a long time beforehand.
I agree with other factors also playing a role. For right now I’m just asking if lead specifically was discussed as a possible cause for the crime race.