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2023 Mega-highlights Extravaganza

80,000 Hours Podcast

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Why Lead is So Bad For People

Lead is highly toxic as it mimics essential metal ions in the body, disrupting subcellular processes in various organ systems. Even low levels of lead exposure in children from low middle income countries can lead to reduced IQ, educational attainment, future earning potential, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, mortality, kidney disease, anemia, behavioral disorders, ADHD, and other health issues. The body lacks natural processes to eliminate lead, leading to its accumulation in tissues, particularly bones, where it can leach out over decades. Lead interferes with enzyme functions and mimics calcium ions in the brain, disrupting neural signal transmission, especially detrimental in children's developing brains.

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