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ok, now we know.

here was me thinking that substance problem in the inner cities was the drinking, or the heroin or the cocaine, or the crack, or the meth, or the oxycotin, or the inhalants, or the ketamine, or the stimulants, or the tranquilizers, or the opiates, or the PCP, or the hallucinogens... and it was actually leaded gasoline all along !

FWIW, leaded gasoline was probably the least of the sources of lead exposure.

Just from an empirical investigation into the combustion products of leaded gasoline, one can observe the following:

The most important by-products are plumbous chloride, plumbous bromide, and plumbous oxide.
These chemical species only exist in locations where motor vehicles are operated.
They also have a high molecular weight. Upon removal from the engine (through the exhaust), they tend to settle near the point of discharge, i.e. it doesn't move around much post-discharge, due to its elevated mass. Example: As you move further away from an older Interstate highway, lead levels in the soil surrounding it tend to drop precipitously. (PbCl₂ and PbBr₂ float, since they actually evaporate at normal engine temperatures. But that doesn't last long, either)
As such, significant lead exposure from leaded gasoline would consist of either handling the gasoline itself, w/o PPE, or literally ingesting soils, &c. that already contain leaded gasoline by-products. (You don't have to EAT it, disturbing the ground, and inhaling the dust will do)

Also, the decline in average childhood blood-lead levels was probably also due to the lead paint ban, and improvements to building codes that otherwise prohibited or required the removal of existing lead pipe, &c.

Besides, the overarching reason for the end of leaded gasoline was the introduction of the dry-process exhaust catalyst, which would become useless if leaded gasoline was used. Any supposed health improvements were just a side effect.

I could cite an article from a rather eccentric magazine here, but it might make me look a tad crazed.

Well, that's it for now, but it is a somewhat reasonable response to the enviro-nazis on the causes of lead poisoning...