This is a guest contribution by Pradip Bhattacharya
Heavy metals, we all have sometimes or other came across this term mostly in chemistry classes or labs, remember? What is a heavy metal? Google suggests a number of answers. But most recently the term ‘Heavy Metal’ has been defined as any metal or semi-metal with potential human or environmental toxicity, for example like Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury etc. Thus in a nutshell the substance which can post a threat to our life.
So let us have some insight on Lead, a furious heavy metal, which is closely interlaced with our today’s lifestyle.
Russian Chemistry Professor Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev published his periodic table in 1869, which states it as a metal with atomic number 82. Most of us have only this information about lead.
- Nervous system and kidney damage.
- Learning disabilities and decreased intelligence.
- Speech, language and behavior problems.
- Poor muscle coordination.
- Decreased muscle and bone growth and hearing damage.
- Fertility problems (in both men and women).
- High blood pressure.
- Digestive problems.
- Nerve disorders.
- Memory and concentration problems.
- Muscle and joint pain and
- FINALLY, brain damage or even DEATH.
This information is much like a journal; we read and forget, as we may feel that I am not a lab assistant or factory worker so not to worry as I am not exposed to any kind of lead. I am leading a sophisticated life traveling in cars, wearing designer clothes and eating just canned food. No worry but let me tell you this, everyone is exposed to a certain amount of lead through air, soil, household dust, food, drinking water and some consumer products specially Textiles. Let us discuss how it happens.
Food: Traces of lead are found in almost all food. Airborne lead falls onto crops or soil which is directly absorbed by plant. Lead solder used in making cans or tins may also contaminate food.
Cars: While visit to petrol pump we always see the unleaded petrol tank, yes if you don’t go for it then obviously you are contributing in lead distribution with your vehicle’s emission as in the past, motor vehicles were the biggest source of lead.
Air Pollution: Blame it or accept it but the fact is that emissions, smelters and refineries are major contributor of lead poisoning which play a key role in air pollution.
Water: The amount of lead in a natural water supply is very low, but it can enter in water supply through lead solder used in pluming or pipes. It is more likely to be found in soft or acidic water. Too new or too old pipes may contribute to lead distribution.
From Paint: Remember the commercial of a Paint company where SRK says “blue ho ya pink PAPA TUM TAK kuch bhi harmful NAHIN pahunchnege DENGE”. We admire, but how many of us actually purchase lead free paints!
Now some life style accessories: Any Bright golden or silver colored prints or dresses with beads, stones or sequins attract us especially when we shop for ladies & kids. They look really gorgeous in those. Again there may be lead concealed in those articles. Small kids may end up licking their dresses. You can imagine the disaster. Some common textile accessories may include glossy prints which are used in our daily life. The prints become very beautiful by adding the heavy metal lead. Yes, it is intentionally added to get bright, brilliant and lustrous design. The design may easily be dissolved into your perspiration or saliva and goes straightway to your stomach when you rub the product on your lips.
Case histories:
It’s not very difficult to avoid lead in daily life. With little awareness it is easy to stay away from lead. 5 ways to stay away from this dangerous metal have been listed here.
- When purchasing canned food especially beverages it is always better to check the solder material or go for certified brands.
- Use good quality water purifiers with capacity to extract the dissolved lead in water sources.
- While painting your home chose lead free paints.
- Try to avoid any bright colored prints when you are not going for up-market tested brands.
- In our dress materials, bags, purses, toys and other commonly used accessories like car seats etc. It is always suggested to use branded leather or suede leather, which we believe have been tested.
It’s a known fact that lead is harmful but many are not aware of the sources of lead. Let us take a promise to reduce the usage of lead so that we can gift a lead free life to our forthcoming generations.
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