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.