Lead poisoning, or chronic intoxication, is a serious health issue that occurs when the system absorbs lead. It primarily affects children under six years old and can cause mental and physical developmental disturbances. Besides, it can also lead to anaemia, hypertension, renal impairment, immunotoxicity, and reproductive organ toxicity.
One concerning fact about lead poisoning comes from Zambia where high levels of lead were found in the blood of thousands of children living around the Kabwe mine. This alarming incident emphasizes the importance of understanding the sources and prevention of lead poisoning.
Sources of Lead Poisoning: Occupational and Environmental Factors
People often get exposed to lead through their work environment or environmental pollution. An individual can inhale lead particles from burning materials containing lead, such as during smelting, recycling, stripping leaded paint, and using leaded aviation fuel. Ingestion of lead-contaminated water and food is also a common source of lead exposure.
More than three quarters of global lead consumption is for the manufacture of lead-acid batteries for motor vehicles, which presents another significant means of lead exposure.
Tracing Lead in the Body: A Toxic Journey
Lead is naturally occurring toxic metal found in the Earth’s crust. Once in the body, lead distributes to the brain, liver, kidneys and bones. It’s stored in the teeth and bones where it can accumulate over time. During pregnancy, the stored lead in a woman’s bone is released into her blood, thereby exposing the developing foetus to lead. There is no known level of lead exposure without harmful effects; however, lead exposure is preventable.
The Global Disease Burden of Lead
Data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) suggest that in 2019, lead exposure accounted for 900,000 deaths and 21.7 million healthy years of life lost worldwide. The burden is disproportionately higher in low- and middle-income countries.
Responses to the Global Lead Crisis
The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed lead as one of ten chemicals of major public health concern. In a bid to curb lead exposure, WHO has partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme to form the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint.
Additionally, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) is funding a project that aims for legally binding controls on lead paint in at least 40 countries. This initiative aligns with GEF’s commitment to catalysing action on the environment.
In India, strides have been made to reduce lead exposure. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) passed the “Regulation on Lead Contents in Household and Decorative Paints Rules, 2016”, preventing the manufacture, trade, import, and export of household and decorative paints containing excessive lead levels.
Conclusion: A Continuous Fight Against Lead Poisoning
Preventing lead poisoning is a steady battle that requires global collaboration and strong regulatory measures. It’s notable to mention that human ingenuity is the primary source of lead contamination, but it can also be the solution. Prioritizing risk awareness, regulatory control, and mitigation strategies are crucial steps towards freeing our world from the dangerous grip of lead.
