Lead is a crucial component of human anatomy. But a bit more of it and there’s trouble in store. Anaemia, impairment of intelligence and several other impairments are direct offshoots of increased lead content, which is generally called lead poisoning. This was revealed by Dr. Abbas Ali Mehdi of KGMU in an exclusive discussion with HTE.
Dr. Mehdi has been involved with research related to lead poisoning for several years now. His studies on lead content level among painters have revealed that the lead content is several times higher, which could have adverse impact on the health of these painters and could even lead to renal failure in some cases.
Blood samples of 18 such painters were sent to Kolkata’s Vivekanand Institute of Medical Sciences as there is no lead analyzer presently available in Lucknow. Results have revealed lead content was 6 to 7 times more on average. “Normally 2 micrograms per dl of lead is present in blood but samples of these painters contained up to 20 micrograms of lead presence. In one case, this was as high as 27 micrograms as well,” Dr. Mehdi informed.
Consequently, Dr. Mehdi is spearheading a campaign to formulate a society that will exclusively conduct research in this area. In this regard, he has already tied up with NGO Prithvi Innovations, whose caretaker Anuradha Gupta has been involved in few researches in this field. Era Hospital, a prominent hospital in Lucknow, has been persuaded to install a lead analyzer machine in its premises.
Dr. Mehdi is hoping that once the society comes into shape, they would be able to conduct lead related research among other groups as well. These include the tannery workers, battery, lock, bangle, pottery and bulb industries and the toys that are coloured with bright colours. He fears that lead content could be as high as that among painters in several of these industries but not much can be said at the moment as there is no proper study to supplement the view.
Elaborating on the urgent need in this regard, Anuradha Gupta says that lead has a peculiar characteristic of following the calcium in the human body. Wherever there is calcium, lead goes and deposits itself. Hence high levels of lead could result in difficulty in walking and movement of limbs as well. Even lactating mothers, with high lead content in their bodies, can pass on this poison to their children. Children are particularly at risk as there have been reports of high lead content in herbal medicines, including Chawanprash.
Dr. Mehdi has been involved with research related to lead poisoning for several years now. His studies on lead content level among painters have revealed that the lead content is several times higher, which could have adverse impact on the health of these painters and could even lead to renal failure in some cases.
Blood samples of 18 such painters were sent to Kolkata’s Vivekanand Institute of Medical Sciences as there is no lead analyzer presently available in Lucknow. Results have revealed lead content was 6 to 7 times more on average. “Normally 2 micrograms per dl of lead is present in blood but samples of these painters contained up to 20 micrograms of lead presence. In one case, this was as high as 27 micrograms as well,” Dr. Mehdi informed.
Consequently, Dr. Mehdi is spearheading a campaign to formulate a society that will exclusively conduct research in this area. In this regard, he has already tied up with NGO Prithvi Innovations, whose caretaker Anuradha Gupta has been involved in few researches in this field. Era Hospital, a prominent hospital in Lucknow, has been persuaded to install a lead analyzer machine in its premises.
Dr. Mehdi is hoping that once the society comes into shape, they would be able to conduct lead related research among other groups as well. These include the tannery workers, battery, lock, bangle, pottery and bulb industries and the toys that are coloured with bright colours. He fears that lead content could be as high as that among painters in several of these industries but not much can be said at the moment as there is no proper study to supplement the view.
Elaborating on the urgent need in this regard, Anuradha Gupta says that lead has a peculiar characteristic of following the calcium in the human body. Wherever there is calcium, lead goes and deposits itself. Hence high levels of lead could result in difficulty in walking and movement of limbs as well. Even lactating mothers, with high lead content in their bodies, can pass on this poison to their children. Children are particularly at risk as there have been reports of high lead content in herbal medicines, including Chawanprash.
The project is being promoted by George Foundation and St. John’s Academy of Health Sciences in Bangalore who are funded by international agencies like WHO, UNICEF and World Bank and wants a UP Referral Centre to further augment their work in this regard.
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