The long-term impacts of lead exposure have finally been revealed: reduced IQ levels and lower socio-economic status. For India, the implications are grave.
THOUGH THE health impacts of exposure to lead were first reported in the 1970s, a new study, published in JAMA on March 28, has established the long-term effects—it can not only reduce IQ levels, but also lower socio-economic status.
Lead is a cumulative toxicant that affects multiple body systems and is particularly harmful to young children, according to the World Health Organization (who). It affects the brain, liver, kidney and bones. It is stored in the teeth and bones, where it accumulates over time and is released with age.
The researchers used data from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, an investigation of health and behaviour of children born between April 1972 and March 1973 in Dunedin, New Zealand. At that time, New Zealand was using gasoline which had high levels of lead. In 1983, when the children were 11 years old, the researchers measured the level of lead in the blood of 565 of the children, and found that all children had high levels of lead, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
When these children turned 38, the researchers tested them again for cognitive functions. They found that children with greater lead exposure in childhood had poorer cognitive functions at midlife. They studied the occupations of the children with that of their parents when they were about the same age. While the trend is children have better occupations than their parents, but in children with elevated lead levels, the trend was the opposite. The occupations they held at age of 38 tended to be slightly less well paid or prestigious than their parents had.
This story is from the April 16, 2017 edition of Down To Earth.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 16, 2017 edition of Down To Earth.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT
West Bengal's Bhanga Mela (scrap fair) has pushed the limits of recycling. Organised every January at Mathurapur village in 24 South Parganas district, shops at the fair sell discarded electronic items, antiques and even non-functional goods that are in repairable condition.
A wild chase
BASED ON A 2015 PROBE THAT BUST A MAJOR IVORY SMUGGLING RACKET IN INDIA, POACHER PROVIDES A RARE GLIMPSE INTO THE WORK OF FOREST OFFICIALS
Suspect claims in Teva's suit against Cipla
The US Federal Trade Commission has warned the Israeli drug firm its patents are wrongful as it sues Cipla aggressively
WATER SCARREDCITY
Bengaluru's water crisis was long in the making. The city has grown at the cost of its lakes and ponds that are key to its water security. Over 93 per cent of the city is built-up, which makes groundwater recharge difficult. Inadequate sewage systems pollute the limited water available. Over the decades, the city has become dependent on the Cauvery, 100 km away, for 70 per cent of its water needs. This makes water unaffordable. It's time Bengaluru broadened its water resource base beyond the Cauvery and focused on recharging groundwater and reusing treated wastewater.
On guard
Communities in Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh reduce human-elephant conflicts using technology and proactive on-ground monitoring
Overlooked crisis
While there is much talk about climate migration, the world is without a legal framework to protect people displaced by weather disasters
Taking charge for water
A young sarpanch in Maharashtra helps his village residents avail drinking water at home
International Women's Day Special SHE
In India, women self-help groups have been a source of empowerment, fostering economic independence, social stature and community resilience.
MODERATELY YOURS
The crunchy, slightly sweet tubers of shankhalu can be a healthy addition to one's diet
TROUBLED TEAK
Farmers need to be sensitised about right planting materials and cultivation techniques to benefit from high-value teak plantations
