NGO seeks phasing out of lead-based paints
An NGO has sought phasing out of lead-based paints, warning that there presence could have a serious impact on children.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: An NGO has sought phasing out of lead-based paints, warning that there presence could have a serious impact on children.
A study 'Dusty Toxinsa study on lead in household dust in Delhi' recently conducted by the NGO Toxic Link has found high levels of lead in the dust collected from Delhi homes.
"Thirty-one per cent of the total samples of floor dust contained levels of lead that is considered hazardous by international standards.
"Besides, 7 per cent of the samples of windowsill dust we tested contained levels of lead. We consider it likely that the problem of high levels of lead in house dust is not unique to Delhi, but is common to other cities in India," Abhya Kumar, author of the study said.
He said, paint on interior walls when exposed to sunlight, degrades and adds lead particles to the dust. Paints can also crack or blister and release chips of lead contained paint in the atmosphere.
Kumar said when children are exposed to lead, they suffer health deficits including lifelong reductions in their intelligence.
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"In many countries, including the United States, medical interventions are recommended when blood levels of children are measured at 10 g/dl (micrograms lead per deciliter blood)," he added. But a recent study of lead in childrens' blood in Delhi across socio-economic groups has found an average blood lead level of 7.8 g/dl and that more than 18 per cent of the children tested had blood lead levels above 10 g/dl.
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