A new study has found alarmingly high levels of lead, arsenic, and mercury in two authenticated locks of Ludwig van Beethoven’s hair. The levels are an order of magnitude higher than normal, and may have contributed to his deafness, gastrointestinal issues, and jaundice. While it’s unlikely that the lead levels were high enough to be the sole cause of death, the researchers believe it may have contributed to the documented ailments that plagued him most of his life.
