GS2/GS3 Paper
Syllabus: Social Issues/ Science and Technology
Source: IE
Context: Lead poisoning poses a hidden threat in India, with over half of children having blood lead levels above 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) (WHO safe level), according to studies.
What is lead?
Lead is a heavy metal element that is toxic to humans and can cause serious health problems when ingested or inhaled, especially in high amounts. Major sources of lead exposure include lead-based paints, lead batteries, contaminated soil and water, and occupational exposure in industries such as mining, smelting, and battery recycling.
What is Lead poisoning?
It is a condition that occurs when a person’s body accumulates high levels of lead, a toxic metal. It can lead to various health issues, especially in children, including learning disabilities, neurological problems, stunted growth, and organ damage.
Concerns of Lead Poisoning in India:
| High Exposure in Children | A 2021 study found that about 20 crore children in India have blood lead levels exceeding the safe limit set by WHO. |
| Severe Health Impact | Lead poisoning can lead to learning disabilities, neurological impairments, stunted growth, and organ damage. Children are especially vulnerable. |
| Economic and Social Impact | The effects of lead poisoning account for a significant learning gap between rich and poor countries. Affected children might achieve less in education and work, impacting the nation’s productivity. |
| Impacted regions | Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh account for 40% of the population with high blood lead levels. |
Factors contributing to lead poisoning:
- Informal and substandard recycling of lead-acid batteries.
- Increase in vehicle ownership, combined with the lack of vehicle battery recycling regulation and infrastructure.
- Workers in dangerous and often illegal recycling operations break open battery cases, and spill acid and lead dust into the soil.
Government steps to control lead poisoning:
- National Programme for Prevention and Control of Fluorosis, Endemic Skeletal Fluorosis and Arsenicosis: Launched in 2010 to prevent lead poisoning.
- Import Ban on Non-Compliant Lead Acid Batteries: In 2013, the Ministry of Environment and Forests banned non-compliant lead acid battery imports.
- National Health Mission (NHM): Provides healthcare services, including lead poisoning screening and treatment.
- Lead Battery Waste Management Rules, 2016: Regulates lead-acid battery disposal and promotes safe recycling.
- National Programme for the Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE): Offers healthcare to the elderly, who are vulnerable to lead poisoning.
- Center for Advanced Research on Environmental Health (CAREH): Conducts research on environmental health, including lead poisoning.
Global efforts to address lead poisoning have taken various approaches:
- S. Gasoline Initiative: The U.S. successfully reduced blood lead concentrations by more than 90% from 1976 to 1995 by eliminating lead from gasoline.
- Paint and Water-Pipe Regulations: Many countries have implemented stringent standards to ensure paints and water pipes are lead-free, minimizing potential sources of lead exposure.
- Bangladesh’s Turmeric Solution: In Bangladesh, lead contamination through turmeric adulteration was tackled by enforcing strict regulations and raising consumer awareness between 2017 and 2021, resulting in a decrease of lead-tainted turmeric from 47% in 2019 to 0% in 2021
Way forward for India to control lead poisoning:
| Approach | Description |
| Clear Legislation | A strong legislative framework is needed to establish health and safety standards for lead-containing products. |
| Enforce Standards | Strict enforcement of regulations on lead-free paints and water pipes. |
| Monitoring System | Establish blood lead level testing, including in household surveys to identify affected populations. |
| Identify Contaminated Sites | Nationwide efforts to locate lead-contaminated areas, with priority on clean-ups near schools and residential zones. |
| Promote Sustainable Practices | Implement waste management and e-waste recycling programs to reduce lead contamination. |
| Inter-departmental Coordination | Enhance collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, and international partners for cohesive action. |
| Public Awareness | Raise awareness among parents, workers, schools, and healthcare professionals about lead’s dangers. |
Insta Facts:
- Lead in the body is distributed to the brain, liver, kidney and bones. It is stored in the teeth and bones, where it accumulates over time.
- Lead in bone is released into the blood during pregnancyand becomes a source of exposure to the developing foetus.
- WHO has identified lead as 1 of 10 chemicals of major public health concern.
- WHO has joined with the United Nations Environment Programme to form the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint.
Insta Links:
