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Business News Life India's Lead Crisis: 294 Million Children Affected, Pregnant Women At High Risk

India’s Lead Crisis: 294 million children

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affected, pregnant women at high risk

Globally, estimates suggest that 1.5 to 5.5 million lives are lost each year due to lead
exposure, largely from its damaging effects on cardiovascular health.
Written by Sushmita Panda
December 16, 2024 07:01 IST

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Lead poisoning is widespread in India. (Image Credits: Pixabay)

Meet D Gukesh: The

The widespread use of Lead, a naturally occurring toxic metal found in the youngest chess
Earth’s crust, has caused extensive environmental contamination, human champion – Know his
net worth, family
exposure and significant public health problems globally. background, and other
details
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), young children are
Goa to rock as hottest
particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning as they may absorb up to 4–5 times as new year party spot
much lead as adults from an ingested dose.
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Lead poisoning is a medical condition caused by elevated levels of lead in the

blood, resulting from prolonged or acute exposure to lead in the environment.
According to Ambrish Kumar Chandan, Technical Advisor- Environmental
Health at Vital Strategies, lead is a potent toxin that can severely affect the
mental functioning and physical health of children and adults. Modi gov t doubled number of
 
airports in country in 10 years,

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12/16/24, 11:35 AM India's Lead Crisis: 294 million children affected, pregnant women at high risk - Life News | The Financial Express
says Scindia
Also Read Business 23 min ago

Under PM Modi’s leadership, India’s

aviation sector has experienced significant
growth, with the number of airports
increasing from 74 to 157. Minister
Jyotiraditya Scindia praised the progress in
infrastructure, including the addition of 15
263 million India’s road Kenvue India Breathe easier: airports in one day. This is part of a larger…
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“Lead enters the human body through ingestion, inhalation, or contact with
contaminated surfaces. It can accumulate in bones and tissues, affecting
various body systems, especially in children, due to their developing nervous
systems and higher absorption rates compared to adults,” Chandan told
Financial Express.com.

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YOUNG CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN MOST AFFECTED

What is the prevalence of lead poisoning in India? Top Performing Indices Top Gainers Top

Lead poisoning is widespread in India, with more than 294 million children Name LTP Chg
estimated to have blood lead levels (BLLs) above five μg/dL, the actionable
24,641.00 -127.30
threshold set by the WHO, according to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Nifty 50 AD Ratio: 0.10 -0.51%
study 2021.
53,452.75 -131.05
Nifty Bank AD Ratio: 0.30 -0.24%
“Over 23 states report average BLLs exceeding this level, making India one of
72,944.95 -21.00
the most affected countries globally. Children under five are particularly Nifty Next 50 AD Ratio: 1.14 -0.03%

vulnerable due to their heightened susceptibility to lead’s neurotoxic effects.

25,618.55 -106.05
Nifty 100
Pregnant women are also at risk, as lead stored in bones can re-enter the AD Ratio: 0.51 -0.41%

bloodstream, affecting both maternal and foetal health,” Chandan explained. 13,997.40 -38.50
Nifty 200 AD Ratio: 0.80 -0.27%

Globally, estimates suggest that 1.5 to 5.5 million lives are lost each year due to
VIEW ALL
lead exposure, largely from its damaging effects on cardiovascular health. He
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also revealed that lead poisoning affects many countries, but India’s incidence
is among the highest, primarily due to a combination of industrial pollution, AT AD TEKR AM

informal recycling practices, and the use of lead-based products.

How does lead affect the human body ?

Lead toxicity impacts multiple body systems. Even at low levels, lead can cause
irreversible damage to a child’s brain, resulting in a reduced intelligence
quotient (IQ), learning disabilities, attention disorders, hyperactivity, and
aggressive behaviour.
PHOTO GALLERY
A study published in The Lancet noted that in 2019 alone, children under five, in
low- and middle-income countries, lost 729 million IQ points due to lead
exposure. In India, IQ loss due to childhood lead poisoning resulted in an
annual economic loss of nearly 3.3 percent of its 2019 GDP, or 94 million USD.
For adults, it can lead to hypertension, kidney dysfunction, and cognitive
decline. 6 PHOTOS

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“Chronic lead exposure can also harm reproductive health, increase the risk of Flagship specs, price starts at Rs
54,999
anemia, and, at high levels, damage organs. Its irreversible impact on the
developing nervous system in children makes it particularly dangerous, and 2 weeks ago

long-term exposure can result in lifelong health and cognitive impairments,”

he told Financial Express.com.

What are some of the common sources of lead poisoning

in India?
9 PHOTOS
In India, lead exposure can stem from everyday household items and certain
In pictures| Delhi’s air quality
industrial activities. Common household sources include lead-based paint,
plummets: National Capital
toys, traditional cookware, jewelry, packaged foods, spices, traditional gasping for breath as AQIPowered
dips By
to
‘severe plus’ category
medicines, and cosmetics like sindoor, Kajal etc.
4 weeks ago

“Lead is also a byproduct of industrial processes such as lead-acid battery

recycling, mining, and the manufacturing of lead-containing products, which
release lead into the surrounding soil, water, and air. Environmental
 

https://www.financialexpress.com/life/indias-lead-crisis-294-million-children-affected-pregnant-women-at-high-risk-3692236/?ref=hometop_hp 2/5
12/16/24, 11:35 AM India's Lead Crisis: 294 million children affected, pregnant women at high risk - Life News | The Financial Express
contamination occurs when lead infiltrates soil, water, and air, making its way
into the human body through ingestion of contaminated food or water, and
inhalation of lead-laden dust or air,” Chandan said.

Children are particularly vulnerable since they absorb lead more readily than
adults, and their developing nervous systems are highly susceptible to its toxic
9 PHOTOS
effects.
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Additionally, children often engage in hand-to-mouth activities, increasing Trump’s victory fills the air with
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their risk of ingesting lead particles from contaminated items, soil, or dust.
1 month ago

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Is this complication treatable or preventable?

Lead poisoning is preventable but challenging to treat. “Preventative

measures, such as reducing exposure to known lead sources, conducting
blood lead level surveillance, ensuring safer manufacturing practices, and
raising public awareness, are the most effective strategies. In cases of exposure,
early detection through blood lead level (BLL) testing can help manage and
reduce risks, especially in children,” he told Financial Express.com.

What are the steps that need to be taken up at a

regulatory level to improve the status? Today's Commodity
Rate
According to Chandan, to effectively address and reduce lead exposure in 16 DEC, Ahmedabad
India, regulatory efforts should encompass a comprehensive set of 2024
measures:
GOLD(18K) ₹5781/GM ₹-9.80

Regular screening and monitoring of blood lead levels (BLLs) in young SILVER ₹907.3/10GM ₹-1.80
children should be prioritized to identify and manage cases early,
reducing long-term health impacts. PETROL ₹94.7/LTR ₹0.00 ⬌

Strengthening laboratory infrastructure is essential to ensure that blood

lead testing is accessible in public health facilities. Introducing DIESEL ₹90.38/LTR ₹0.00 ⬌

technology-supported bone lead measurement tools will also improve

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VIEW GOLD RATE TRENDS
diagnostic accuracy and support timely interventions.
At the national level, a dedicated inter-departmental committee can ADVERTISEMENT

improve coordination among health, environmental, and industrial

sectors, enabling a unified approach to lead poisoning prevention and
intervention.
Encouraging and incentivizing industries to adopt lead-free processes,
embrace sustainable practices, and invest in lead-free technologies is
crucial. Industrial accountability should also extend to the remediation of
polluted sites, preventing further environmental contamination.
Robust regulations and strict enforcement are needed to control and
reduce lead exposure. This includes limiting lead content in consumer
products, overseeing industrial emissions, and implementing safety LATEST NEWS
standards in manufacturing and recycling industries.
Zakir Hussain: A
Learning from global best practices, India can adopt successful models prodigy turned global
icon! Tracing the
that have reduced lead exposure in other countries, ensuring these are legendary Tabla
tailored to the local context. Maestro’s journey –
Know early life,
Addressing existing policy gaps and reinforcing current policies will musical career and
ensure a stronger framework for lead management and exposure multiple achievements
prevention.
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Effective source identification and prevention require collaboration across India in trouble at 48/4
– Can they stage a
various sectors, including health, industry, and environmental bodies, to comeback against
tackle the issue from all angles. Australia?

Community awareness campaigns are vital for educating the public about India’s Aviation Boom:
the dangers of lead exposure, promoting safe practices, and encouraging Modi government
doubled number of
behaviors that minimize lead intake, especially in high-risk areas.
airports in the country
Upgrading the skills of healthcare workers to better manage lead in 10 years, says Scindia

poisoning cases will improve detection, treatment, and follow-up,

Chhattisgarh: 6
contributing to a healthier population. persons killed, 7 Powered By
injured as SUV rams
into truck in Balod
Meanwhile, LM Singh, Managing Director India & Global Head – Partnerships district
and Innovative Finance, Vital Strategies revealed that a national program on
preventing metal toxicity in India can encourage and support states in RG Kar rape-murder
case: Doctors’ body to
identifying and clamping down on lead sources, strengthening surveillance stage 10-day sit-in
systems, and training health workers in educating communities. protest
 after
 suspects

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12/16/24, 11:35 AM India's Lead Crisis: 294 million children affected, pregnant women at high risk - Life News | The Financial Express
“A multi-sectoral approach is needed to achieve our goals of measuring lead ex-principal, cop gets
bail
exposure among children and pregnant women, creating guidelines for
clinicians to provide better care for exposed communities, and promoting TRENDING TOPICS
policies targeting major sources of lead. The launch of Partnerships for a lead-
free future at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this year is a INCOME TAX CALCULATOR

promising step to drive collective effort on this critical issue,” Singh told
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Financial Express.com.
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