Lead in ancient Rome's city waters.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
; 111(18): 6594-9, 2014 May 06.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24753588
It is now universally accepted that utilization of lead for domestic purposes and water distribution presents a major health hazard. The ancient Roman world was unaware of these risks. How far the gigantic network of lead pipes used in ancient Rome compromised public health in the city is unknown. Lead isotopes in sediments from the harbor of Imperial Rome register the presence of a strong anthropogenic component during the beginning of the Common Era and the Early Middle Ages. They demonstrate that the lead pipes of the water distribution system increased Pb contents in drinking water of the capital city by up to two orders of magnitude over the natural background. The Pb isotope record shows that the discontinuities in the pollution of the Tiber by lead are intimately entwined with the major issues affecting Late Antique Rome and its water distribution system.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Contaminación Química del Agua
/
Intoxicación por Plomo
Límite:
Humans
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Año:
2014
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Francia
Pais de publicación:
Estados Unidos