Michael A. Terrell wrote
Rod Speed wrote

Yebbut, some have blamed the decline of the
roman empire on their use of lead plumbing pipes.

It was Lead Acetate, used to sweeten wine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead%28II%29_acetate

Nope, its been blamed on both.

The evidence isnt that convincing tho.

The main argument against the lead acetate line is that
the kids didn't drink much wine and would have been
a lot more affected by the lead plumbing and the effect of
lead is much more pronounced in kids for various reasons.