Bangladesh is facing one of the largest cases of lead poisoning in history, with millions of children exposed to it every day. In Bangladesh alone, it is documented that more than 35 million children have blood lead levels that are slightly above the range. According to the Institute for the Evaluation of Health Metrics (IHME), Bangladesh now has the fourth highest mortality rate in the world due to lead exposure.
Globally, one in three children (more than 800 million children in total) has a higher blood lead point (BLL). A recent study in Dhaka suggests that 80 percent of urban children have more than five micrograms per deciliter (μg/dL) of lead in their blood, which is above the WHO value. Another national study indicated that 34% of children had more than five μg/dL of lead in their blood. attention of governmental and non-governmental institutions.
There are more resources and pathways of lead poisoning in low-income countries compared to high-income countries. For example, despite inadequate capacity to maintain regulations and protective infrastructure, lead use in industry persists in Bangladesh and other low-income countries. low-income countries. At the commercial level, recycling of used lead-acid batteries (ULAB) is a common source of hazardous emissions in semi-urban and rural areas of Bangladesh. So far, the Toxic Site Identification Program (TSIP) has known more than 360 BAPU recycling sites, and the World Bank has known of more than 1,100 such sites, endangering approximately one million people. When abandoned, BAPU’s former recycling sites still pose a danger to surrounding communities, and may spread further. Recycling BAPU is also incredibly disruptive to staff, adding child staff who make up about a quarter of BAPU’s workforce.
Bangladesh complies with WHO and has banned lead paint. However, application remains limited: 30% of paints sold in the country exceed the popular threshold and almost all involve very high lead concentrations (10,000 ppm). There is a motion underway to mobilize for stricter controls and enforcement opposed to the use of lead paint.
Lately, the adulteration of spices, especially turmeric, has caused great concern. A recent widespread and intentional known counterfeiting of turmeric with lead chromate in Bangladesh to bring out the color, thereby expanding perceived quality and market price.
Turmeric adulteration and higher blood lead levels have already been documented. Government officials have declared their goal to deal with this threat. As a result, in 2020, the government took competitive reaction measures, adding the restriction on lead imports. chromate. It has been argued that the government set permanent import limits on lead chromate to mitigate turmeric adulteration. Detection of lead in turmeric is also urgently needed to identify and prevent this practice. Turmeric manufacturers of the risks of this practice and empower consumers to better monitor how the turmeric they buy is processed.
In addition, lead can also be provided in commonly used products such as local cosmetics, classic medicinal plants, toys, aluminum cookware, and jewelry. available on the extent of lead contamination or relative contribution to the national lead poisoning burden.
There are sources of lead poisoning in Bangladesh, and the relative burden caused through other channels of exposure remains poorly understood. environmental factors. Poor nutritional status, especially calcium and iron deficiencies, increases lead absorption and metabolism.
Several interventions based on the 2022 outcomes are recommended, adding improved nutrition, correction of iron deficiency, networking and family education, chemical chelation of products, and attempts to obtain resources from children’s environment. Adding blood lead levels to national surveillance would help monitor, evaluate, and study to count policy and implementation. We want continued investments to reduce lead exposure and implement government policies at the national level.
Dr. Mahfuzar Rahman is the Country Director of Pure Earth in Bangladesh.