The widespread use of Lead, a naturally occurring toxic metal found in the Earth’s crust, has caused extensive environmental contamination, human exposure and significant public health problems globally.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), young children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning as they may absorb up to 4–5 times as much lead as adults from an ingested dose.
Lead poisoning is a medical condition caused by elevated levels of lead in the blood, resulting from prolonged or acute exposure to lead in the environment. According to Ambrish Kumar Chandan, Technical Advisor- Environmental Health at Vital Strategies, lead is a potent toxin that can severely affect the mental functioning and physical health of children and adults.
“Lead enters the human body through ingestion, inhalation, or contact with contaminated surfaces. It can accumulate in bones and tissues, affecting various body systems, especially in children, due to their developing nervous systems and higher absorption rates compared to adults,” Chandan told Financial Express.com.
What is the prevalence of lead poisoning in India?
Lead poisoning is widespread in India, with more than 294 million children estimated to have blood lead levels (BLLs) above five μg/dL, the actionable threshold set by the WHO, according to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2021.
“Over 23 states report average BLLs exceeding this level, making India one of the most affected countries globally. Children under five are particularly vulnerable due to their heightened susceptibility to lead’s neurotoxic effects. Pregnant women are also at risk, as lead stored in bones can re-enter the bloodstream, affecting both maternal and foetal health,” Chandan explained.
Globally, estimates suggest that 1.5 to 5.5 million lives are lost each year due to lead exposure, largely from its damaging effects on cardiovascular health. He also revealed that lead poisoning affects many countries, but India’s incidence is among the highest, primarily due to a combination of industrial pollution, informal recycling practices, and the use of lead-based products.
How does lead affect the human body?
Lead toxicity impacts multiple body systems. Even at low levels, lead can cause irreversible damage to a child’s brain, resulting in a reduced intelligence quotient (IQ), learning disabilities, attention disorders, hyperactivity, and aggressive behaviour.
A study published in The Lancet noted that in 2019 alone, children under five, in low- and middle-income countries, lost 729 million IQ points due to lead exposure. In India, IQ loss due to childhood lead poisoning resulted in an annual economic loss of nearly 3.3 percent of its 2019 GDP, or 94 million USD. For adults, it can lead to hypertension, kidney dysfunction, and cognitive decline.
“Chronic lead exposure can also harm reproductive health, increase the risk of anemia, and, at high levels, damage organs. Its irreversible impact on the developing nervous system in children makes it particularly dangerous, and long-term exposure can result in lifelong health and cognitive impairments,” he told Financial Express.com.
What are some of the common sources of lead poisoning in India?
In India, lead exposure can stem from everyday household items and certain industrial activities. Common household sources include lead-based paint, toys, traditional cookware, jewelry, packaged foods, spices, traditional medicines, and cosmetics like sindoor, Kajal etc.
“Lead is also a byproduct of industrial processes such as lead-acid battery recycling, mining, and the manufacturing of lead-containing products, which release lead into the surrounding soil, water, and air. Environmental contamination occurs when lead infiltrates soil, water, and air, making its way into the human body through ingestion of contaminated food or water, and inhalation of lead-laden dust or air,” Chandan said.
Children are particularly vulnerable since they absorb lead more readily than adults, and their developing nervous systems are highly susceptible to its toxic effects.
Additionally, children often engage in hand-to-mouth activities, increasing their risk of ingesting lead particles from contaminated items, soil, or dust.
Is this complication treatable or preventable?
Lead poisoning is preventable but challenging to treat. “Preventative measures, such as reducing exposure to known lead sources, conducting blood lead level surveillance, ensuring safer manufacturing practices, and raising public awareness, are the most effective strategies. In cases of exposure, early detection through blood lead level (BLL) testing can help manage and reduce risks, especially in children,” he told Financial Express.com.
What are the steps that need to be taken up at a regulatory level to improve the status?
According to Chandan, to effectively address and reduce lead exposure in India, regulatory efforts should encompass a comprehensive set of measures:
- Regular screening and monitoring of blood lead levels (BLLs) in young children should be prioritized to identify and manage cases early, reducing long-term health impacts.
- Strengthening laboratory infrastructure is essential to ensure that blood lead testing is accessible in public health facilities. Introducing technology-supported bone lead measurement tools will also improve diagnostic accuracy and support timely interventions.
- At the national level, a dedicated inter-departmental committee can improve coordination among health, environmental, and industrial sectors, enabling a unified approach to lead poisoning prevention and intervention.
- Encouraging and incentivizing industries to adopt lead-free processes, embrace sustainable practices, and invest in lead-free technologies is crucial. Industrial accountability should also extend to the remediation of polluted sites, preventing further environmental contamination.
- Robust regulations and strict enforcement are needed to control and reduce lead exposure. This includes limiting lead content in consumer products, overseeing industrial emissions, and implementing safety standards in manufacturing and recycling industries.
- Learning from global best practices, India can adopt successful models that have reduced lead exposure in other countries, ensuring these are tailored to the local context.
- Addressing existing policy gaps and reinforcing current policies will ensure a stronger framework for lead management and exposure prevention.
- Effective source identification and prevention require collaboration across various sectors, including health, industry, and environmental bodies, to tackle the issue from all angles.
- Community awareness campaigns are vital for educating the public about the dangers of lead exposure, promoting safe practices, and encouraging behaviors that minimize lead intake, especially in high-risk areas.
- Upgrading the skills of healthcare workers to better manage lead poisoning cases will improve detection, treatment, and follow-up, contributing to a healthier population.
Meanwhile, LM Singh, Managing Director India & Global Head – Partnerships and Innovative Finance, Vital Strategies revealed that a national program on preventing metal toxicity in India can encourage and support states in identifying and clamping down on lead sources, strengthening surveillance systems, and training health workers in educating communities.
“A multi-sectoral approach is needed to achieve our goals of measuring lead exposure among children and pregnant women, creating guidelines for clinicians to provide better care for exposed communities, and promoting policies targeting major sources of lead. The launch of Partnerships for a lead-free future at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this year is a promising step to drive collective effort on this critical issue,” Singh told Financial Express.com.