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Roughly 2,000 years ago, the Roman Empire’s flourishing economy relied on silver coinage, leading to significant lead pollution from mining operations. Researchers detected lead in ice samples collected in Russia and Greenland, estimating that 3,300 to 4,600 tons of lead were emitted annually into the atmosphere. Lead exposure in Roman children was linked to potential cognitive decline and other health issues, shedding light on the early impact of industrial pollution in ancient civilizations.
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