A contribution to the fall of the Roman Empire: Lead

It is unknown how widespread the use of lead was in the ancient Roman empire. The use of lead was widely used in many applications from the pipes they used to bring water into the cites, to their eating utensil and pots. Historians have argued that the lead in the pipes was about 100 times more than the nearby springs, but that amount wasn't high enough to be harmful to humans. One interesting factor that I think may have helped with the decline of the empire was also the fact that they boiled they wines and cooked at least a 5th of their foods in cauldrons and pots made of lead. Lead is said to have given a sweet taste to the food and drink consumed by the ancient Romans. As we know today of course, Lead in excess in the human body can cause neurological problems for those affected by Lead poisoning. Now much evidence has been given to both sides as to whether or not Lead played a key role in the decline, but I felt it was interesting that it became so widespread that it could've played a small role. Imagine the higher echelon of leaders and people in power suffering from Lead poisoning, what kind of decisions could be made that weren't the wisest or for the best of the empire. Possibly even worse, where some of those decisions began to negatively affect the empire as a whole.