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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : June 11, 2015 3:06 PM IST
After the lead in Maggi noodles took the country by storm, analysis of blood samples over the past one year from across the country revealed some shocking results. It was found that more than 23% of the total samples tested positive for lead poisoning.
We are exposed to lead in various other forms like drinking water , cosmetics etc, but the excessive lead content in Maggi and the ban on the noodles across states had to be the reason for the country wide panic over lead poisoning. But the fact cannot be neglected that over 143,000 deaths are caused due to lead exposure making it the highest burden in developing countries.
Dr. Saneep Warghade Consulting Pathologist Metropolis Healthcare informed that out of the 733 samples collected from across for analysis revealed that 23.47% out of the total samples tested positive for lead poisoning. Lead is a cumulative toxicant and is particularly harmful to young children and affects multiple body systems.
He said lead poisoning is tested using high sensitivity technology called ICPMS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) and Graphite Furnace Atomic absorption spectrometry. Blood, serum and urine samples can also be tested for lead.
In growing children, it causes low IQ, hyperactivity, attention deficit, learning disabilities and anaemia, he said. 'Lead poisoning can be hard to detect even people who look healthy can have high levels of lead. At high levels of exposure, lead damages the brain and central nervous system and can lead to coma, convulsions and even death. Signs and symptoms of lead poisoning usually don't appear until dangerous amounts have accumulated,' Warghade added.
With inputs from PTI
Image source: Nestle
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