The lead-crime hypothesis: A meta-analysis

Does lead pollution increase crime? We perform the first meta-analysis of effect on crime, pooling 542 estimates from 24 studies. The is overstated in literature due to publication bias. Our main mean sizes are a partial correlation 0.16, and an elasticity 0.09. suggest abatement may be responsible for 7–28% fall homicide US. Given historically higher urban levels, reduced accounted 6–20% convergence US rural crime rates. Lead increases but does not explain majority observed some countries 20th century. Additional explanations needed.