From the Journals

How Lead Exposure Changed Over a Century 

Hair-based mass spectrometry links declining lead exposure to environmental regulation 

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  • February 17, 2026

  • 2 min

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A century's analysis of archived human hair reveals significant insights into lead exposure trends in the United States, linking elevated levels to industrialization and concluding with a marked decrease following environmental regulation by the EPA. Researchers from the University of Utah examined hair samples gathered from Utah’s Wasatch Front, which had experienced high industrial lead emissions. The study found lead concentrations in hair dropped from 30-100 ppm pre-1970 to below 1 ppm post-2020, underscoring the effectiveness of regulatory interventions in reducing lead exposure.

Original Source(s)

How Lead Exposure Changed Over a Century 

Hair-based mass spectrometry links declining lead exposure to environmental regulation 

  • February 17, 2026

  • 2 min

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