UNICEF and Pure Earth's 2020 report reveals that a significant percentage of children in India are afflicted with high blood lead levels. Specifically, approximately half of the children are affected.
Major findings
High Blood Lead Levels
- 275 million children in India have blood lead levels beyond the tolerable limit of 5 µg/dL.
- 64.3 million children's blood lead levels exceed 10 µg/dL.
- 23 states exceed the 5 µg/dL margin.
Disability-Adjusted Life Years:
- Lead toxicity in India contributes to 4.6 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years and 165,000 deaths annually.
Adverse Health Impact
- Lead enters the bloodstream and goes directly to the brain.
- Causes anemia and various illnesses affecting neurological, skeletal, and neuromuscular systems.
Challenges to Cope with Lead Poisoning
- Less Attention is given to lead poisoning compared to other public health concerns.
- Poor Recycling Laws - Unscientific techniques are employed during recycling, in an unregulated and uncontrolled way.
- High demand for Cheap Products - People are not willing or able to pay more for lead-free alternatives.
Solutions:
- Regular screening and testing of lead sources.
- Discouraging informal recycling operations and regulating the sector.
- Enhancing testing capacity and creating facilities for blood lead level screenings at every district hospital.
- Devising strategies on a state level, through regional bureaucracy, local press, and vernacular language.
Lead poisoning:
Lead poisoning is a serious health condition that occurs when a person is exposed to high levels of lead. Lead is a toxic heavy metal that can accumulate in the body over time, causing various health problems. This condition is particularly dangerous for children and pregnant women, as it can cause developmental and neurological damage.
Sources of lead poisoning:
Lead can be found in various everyday items, including paint, water, soil, and air. Lead-based paint is the most common source of lead poisoning in children, especially in old homes or buildings that were constructed before the 1970s. Lead can also contaminate water through old pipes, faucets, and fittings, and soil through industrial or environmental pollution.
Symptoms of lead poisoning:
Lead poisoning can cause a wide range of symptoms, including stomach pain, headache, fatigue, irritability, nausea, constipation, and even seizures. Children may experience developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems, while pregnant women may suffer from premature delivery, miscarriage, or stillbirth.
Diagnosis and treatment:
Blood tests can be performed to diagnose lead poisoning. The treatment for lead poisoning depends on the severity of the condition. In mild cases, treatment may involve removing the source of lead exposure, while severe cases may require chelation therapy to remove lead from the body.
Prevention:
The best way to prevent lead poisoning is to identify and remove sources of lead exposure. This includes using lead-free paints, drinking water from a safe source, and avoiding contact with soil or dust that may contain lead. It is also important to maintain good hygiene and wash hands frequently, especially before eating.
Equatorial Guinea, a Central African country has confirmed its first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus disease.
Marburg virus disease
Marburg virus is a deadly virus that belongs to the family of filoviruses, which also includes the well-known Ebola virus. It was first identified in the city of Marburg, Germany in 1967, where it caused an outbreak among laboratory workers who were exposed to infected monkeys imported from Uganda.
Marburg virus is highly infectious and can cause a severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fever, with symptoms ranging from fever, headache, muscle pain, and vomiting to internal bleeding and organ failure. The virus is transmitted through contact with the bodily fluids of infected people or animals, and there is currently no specific treatment or vaccine available for it.
The virus is primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa, where outbreaks have occurred sporadically since its discovery. The largest recorded outbreak of Marburg virus occurred in Angola in 2005, which resulted in over 400 cases and a mortality rate of around 90%.
Due to its potential for causing severe disease and high mortality rates, Marburg virus is classified as a Category A bioterrorism agent by the United States. This means that it poses a significant threat to public health and national security, and requires special attention and preparedness measures by health authorities and government agencies.
In terms of prevention, the best way to avoid Marburg virus is to avoid contact with infected people or animals. This includes avoiding travel to areas where outbreaks have occurred, wearing protective gear when working with potentially infected materials, and practicing good hygiene habits such as frequent hand washing.
Marburg virus remains a significant public health concern, and continued research into its prevention and treatment is essential for protecting global health security. As with other infectious diseases, early detection, rapid response, and effective communication are critical for limiting the spread of the virus and preventing further outbreaks.
10-Feb-2023: 7 workers die in Andhra Pradesh due to asphyxiation
7 workers died due to asphyxiation during the removal of oil sludge in an edible oil tank in Andhra Pradesh.
What is Asphyxiation?
Asphyxiation is a medical condition that occurs when a person is deprived of oxygen. This can happen due to a variety of reasons, including choking, suffocation, drowning, or exposure to toxic gases. It is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Asphyxiation is mainly the interruption of the body's oxygen supply. Oxygen is essential for the proper functioning of our organs and tissues. When we breathe in, oxygen enters our lungs and is transported to our cells through the bloodstream. If this oxygen supply is cut off or reduced, our cells begin to die, and our organs can fail. Asphyxiation can quickly lead to brain damage, coma, and death.
Choking is one of the most common causes of asphyxiation. It happens when an object gets lodged in the airway, blocking the passage of air. This can be a piece of food, a toy, or any other foreign object. Suffocation occurs when the air supply is cut off, such as when a plastic bag is placed over the head or when a person is trapped in a small space. Drowning is another form of asphyxiation that happens when a person's airway is filled with water, preventing them from breathing. Exposure to toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide or hydrogen sulfide, can also cause asphyxiation by displacing oxygen in the bloodstream.
How to avoid Asphyxiation?
Asphyxiation can be prevented by taking certain precautions. For example, parents should be vigilant about keeping small objects away from young children and ensuring that toys and other items do not pose a choking hazard. People working in confined spaces or with toxic chemicals should use appropriate safety gear and take regular breaks to ensure that they are getting enough oxygen.
If you suspect someone is experiencing asphyxiation, call for emergency medical assistance immediately. While waiting for help to arrive, try to remove any objects that may be blocking their airway or move them to an area with fresh air. Do not attempt to perform CPR unless you have been trained to do so.