THE findings of a study report that about 98 per cent of the children living in Dhaka are exposed a high level of lead poisoning, which can cause memory loss, a headache, depression and the loss of intelligent quotient, is worrying. The study that the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh along with the Stanford School of Medicine of the United States conducted on 500 children under four in 2022鈥�2024 says that lead has been found in the blood samples of all the children, but 98 per cent of them have more than 35 micrograms of lead in a litre. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention sets the highest of 35 micrograms a litre as a tolerable level of lead in humans, but in Bangladesh, the highest of 356 micrograms of lead a litre has been detected. A researcher, however, says that there is no safe level for lead in humans as the presence of lead at any level is dangerous.
Lead is responsible for 1,38,054 cardiovascular death every year in Bangladesh and the combined cost of lead exposure is estimated at $28.63 billion. Besides, Bangladesh ranks the fourth most lead-impacted country, with 36 million case loads. One researcher says that the economic loss for lead in Bangladesh accounts for 9 per cent of its gross domestic product. The study finds that lead poisoning in Dhaka鈥檚 south is higher than in the north as the south has a higher presence of factories dealing with lead. Researchers say that there are at least 69 units of sources of lead poisoning where lead products, including batteries, are recycled or manufactured in Dhaka. Researchers further say that people living in poor conditions are more likely to be exposed to lead poisoning, noting that factories dealing with lead should be relocated from densely populated areas and a safe lead processing should be ensured. The researchers also say that there are many alternatives to lead products, but low investment in lead-free products and lack of awareness hold back the use of such alternatives.
The government should, therefore, regulate the use of lead, relocate factories from densely populated areas and step up oversight on lead-related issues.