Did lead poisoning help create a generation of serial killers?

In this episode, host Michael Safi speaks with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Caroline Fraser about her explorations in the book 'Murderland.' The discussion focuses on the alarming number of serial killers that emerged from the Pacific Northwest in the 1970s, with an emphasis on infamous figures like Ted Bundy and Gary Ridgway. Fraser reflects on her childhood experiences in the region and the peculiar sociocultural climate that may have fostered such violence.

Fraser proposes a compelling theory connecting the rise of these criminals to environmental pollution, specifically lead exposure from a local smelting plant in Tacoma. She details the lead and arsenic emissions from that smelter and how they could have negatively impacted the neurological development of children, particularly boys, who may later have grown into violent adults.

The episode delves into the historical context of crime rates in the 60s and 70s, referring to it as part of the 'golden age of serial killers.' Fraser discusses how the presence of lead and other pollutants in communities might correlate with a surge in violent crimes. The conversation raises broader questions about responsibility, free will, and the implications of environmental factors on human behavior. This episode connects historical crime trends with environmental justice, advocating for a more holistic understanding of crime causation.