Centuries-old cemetery helps scientists link climate shocks to Industrial Revolution disease

During England's Industrial Revolution, when the country's farming-based economy transformed into an industrial one between roughly 1760 and 1840, pollution, harsh working conditions, inadequate housing and limited access to sunlight drove disease. Rickets, in which the growing skeleton fails to properly mineralize, was commonplace among children. Traditionally, urbanization, latitude and socioeconomic status were considered the main drivers. A factor that has largely been overlooked is climate.