For years, scientists and historians alike have grappled with the great mystery of Ludwig van Beethoven's death, with the prevailing theory being that he died from lead poisoning that caused liver and kidney diseases that would ultimately end his life at age 56 in 1827.
However, a recent study examining a lock of his hair revealed that, although present, lead poisoning wasn't the cause of his abrupt passing.
The Prevailing Theory of Beethoven's Passing
The breakthrough was found by Harvard Medical School researchers, the findings of which were published last Monday, May 6, in the journal: "Clinical Chemistry," revealing that the German composer the high levels of lead he was exposed to were not enough to kill him.
This monumental finding puts an end to the long-propagated theory that Beethoven died solely because of lead poisoning.
In the latter part of his life, the legendary composer suffered from several health complications, including gastrointestinal issues, hearing loss, liver and kidney failure, and neurological symptoms like memory loss, all of which are commonly associated with lead poisoning.
The reigning theory was reinforced by a previous analysis of the master's hair back in 2000, confirming that it did have high levels of lead. Later on, however, it turned out that the bundle of hair did not belong to him but to a woman.
New Facts on Beethoven's Death and Lead Poisoning
In a more recent stab at the composer's mysterious death, Harvard Medical School Pathology Professor Nader Rifay and his time tested Beethoven's hair once more, this time confirming that it is indeed his through genome sequencing.
Afterward, they performed an analysis of toxins on two of the known bundles of hair, dubbed the Bermann and Halm-Thayer Locks, through a highly reliable technique known as mass spectrometry.
Results revealed that the Bermann Lock had a concentration of lead that was 64 times stronger than normal levels. On the other hand, the Halm-Thayer had a concentration 95 times stronger than normal.
All in all, the researchers were able to get an estimated level of lead concentration in Beethoven's blood, which is 69 to 71 micrograms per deciliter. Even if this is a couple of notches higher than normal blood lead levels for an adult, it is not high enough to cause fatality.
That said, Rifay noted that this high contamination may have still contributed to many of the master's health complications.
"While the concentrations determined are not supportive of the notion that lead exposure caused Beethoven's death, it may have contributed to the documented ailments that plagued him most of his life," he wrote in the study.
