Lead pollution is killing our children: It needs urgent actions
It is alarming that around 98 per cent of 500 surveyed children aged between two and four in the capital were found to have concerning levels of lead in their blood, posing serious health risks.
A joint study conducted by icddr,b and Stanford University found that children in Dhaka south have higher blood lead levels than those in the north, as the city’s southern part hosts more lead-polluting industries.
Health scientists, presenting their findings at a programme in Dhaka on Wednesday cautioned that lead exposure can seriously harm a child’s health, causing damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and development, learning and behavioral issues, hearing and speech problems, decreased attention levels, and poor academic performance.
In fact, lead poisoning is silently robbing our children of their future potential, hinders brain development, causes nutritional deficiencies, and ultimately setting back the future of Bangladesh itself.
They said lead enters the body in multiple ways — through the air we breathe, the food we eat, contaminated soil or dust, and even during pregnancy through the placenta.
That’s why it’s nearly impossible to avoid lead exposure unless we address the root causes in our environment, especially those we can manage and control.
Children living within one kilometre of battery manufacturing, recycling, or other lead-related industries had 43 per cent higher blood level leads than those living more than five kilometres away.
Although everyone in Dhaka is at risk, around 3.8 million people living within 2km of battery-related or lead-smelting industrial sites face a higher risk.
Citing a UNICEF report, the study findings also mentioned that Bangladesh ranks fourth globally in the number of children affected by lead, with an estimated 3.6 million affected.
The study recommends relocating small cottage industries and larger factories that deal with lead-acid battery manufacturing or smelting outside Dhaka city.
It also suggests reducing smoking, especially indoors; regularly mopping indoor areas to reduce dust; and promoting the use of lead-free products like batteries, paint, cookware, jewellery, surma, and amulets.
Lead contamination in the environment from various sources has become a major issue for the dwellers of Dhaka city.
People are advised to eat foods that are rich in iron, calcium, and vitamin C. There should also be awareness campaigns, regulations and enforcement from the concerned authorities.