Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Assam Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi wants the federal government to confront India’s lead poisoning epidemic. In an August 24 letter to Union Health Minister JP Nadda, Gogoi highlighted the dire risks to children and residents in industrial zones. The MP labeled the situation a silent crisis. He noted that lead exposure accounts for roughly 2.3 lakh deaths annually, marking a 21 per cent increase since 1990.
Statistics reveal the scale of the threat. Roughly 275 million children carry blood lead levels at or above 5 micrograms per decilitre. About 64 million children exceed 10 micrograms per decilitre. These levels trigger cognitive impairment and poor academic performance. Adults face a different set of dangers, including kidney and cardiovascular diseases. Gogoi stated, "India has been battling a silent lead poisoning crisis for decades."
Contamination reaches beyond the environment into the food supply. A 2021 to 2023 study across 34 cities found 30 per cent of turmeric samples contained lead exceeding the 10 parts per million limit. Ayurvedic medicines also pose a risk. Gogoi requested that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India start a campaign against food contamination and coordinate with the Ministry of AYUSH to regulate traditional formulations.
Gogoi proposed district-level blood lead testing and surveillance. He wants health centers to prioritize children, pregnant women, and high-risk mining communities. He recommended training ASHA and Anganwadi workers to handle the crisis. Additionally, he suggested using District Mineral Foundation funds to build diagnostic labs and buy testing equipment. The government must act now.
Comments