Lead level in city kids much higher than prescribed limits, ET HealthWorld

Lucknow: Children in Lucknow are exposed to levels of lead – a toxic substance that can damage the nervous system -about four times higher than the permissible limit.

This was revealed in a recent study by King George’s Medical University.

The study, covering 60 urban schools across 10 districts in India and involving 2,247 participants aged 6 to 16, found that Lucknow ranks second in blood lead levels (BLL) of 19.2 microgram per decilitre (g/dl).

It is second only to Karnataka’s Manipal district which has recorded the highest level of lead content (30.2 g/dl) among the cities studied. BLL 5 g/dl set is considered safe, as per the Centre for Disease Control.

The study was published in the Indian Journal of Paediatrics in September.

It was conducted between April 2019 and February 2020.

It was found that in eight districts, the lead levels exceed the recommended limit.

Prof Shally Awasthi, the lead researcher and former head paediatrics department at KGMU, stressed the importance of urgent attention to safeguard the health of children.

She explained that lead, a metal widely used in industries, poses a threat to children and adolescents due to its quick absorption and detrimental health effects, particularly on the central nervous system.

Highlighting the probable elevated lead levels in children, Awasthi said that earlier studies conducted in Lucknow have found elevated lead concentrations in rainwater and ground water assessment. “Lead is also found in enamel paints that is used to colour idols and toys that can also be a source,” she added.

She further said that Manipal reported excessive lead contamination in water of Swarna river which is the main source of drinking water for the district as well as in ground water and soil after a coal-based thermal power plant became operational there in 2012.

Similarly, water quality indices of Jojari river in Jodhpur reported presence of lead in sufficiently high concentration.

Explaining the adverse effects, Prof Awasthi said that lead exposure in children is associated with various health issues, including anxiety, depression, aggression, inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and irritability.

Despite the discontinuation of petrol with lead in India, industries remain a major source of environmental lead contamination, claimed Dr Divas Kumar, the second research lead of the study.

Prof Abbas Ali Mahdi, Dr Shweta Singh, Dr Anuj Kumar Pandey, Dr Girdhar G Agarwal, Dr Thekkumkara Surendran Anish, Dr Somashekar AR, Dr Sonali Kar, Dr Suma Nair, Dr Joseph L Mathew were also part of the study.