OT: chronic lead poisoning behind the decline of Roman Empire?

[Guest guest]

Saw a program on BBC4 last night, a geologist claiming that chronic long

term lead poisoning might have resulted in eventual decline of the Roman

Empire - materials loaded with lead were apparently widely used by the

romans in the last few centuries of the empire, eg for water pipes,

cooking, wine making etc. ... it especially affected the upper classes,

ie the ones enjoying the wine and foods and spas the most. Apparently

lead affected their fertility/sterility/birth rates, resulted in

widespread neurosis and psychosis (just think of Nero and Caligula).

Feasible and made for an interesting theory.

Natasa