‘275 million children at risk’: Gogoi flags India’s silent lead poisoning crisis
New Delhi: Assam Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has urged Indian Health Minister JP Nadda to take immediate steps to address what he called a “silent lead poisoning crisis” in India, warning of severe risks to children and high-risk communities.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in a letter dated August 24, Gogoi said lead exposure had affected India for decades but lacked adequate policy attention despite being “largely preventable”.
Citing estimates, he said around 275 million Indian children have blood lead levels of 5 micrograms per decilitre or higher, with 64 million exceeding 10 µg/dL. Deaths attributed to lead exposure in India have risen 21% since 1990 and account for an estimated 2.3 lakh deaths annually. He said lead exposure impairs cognitive development and academic performance in children, while prolonged exposure in adults can cause cardiovascular and kidney diseases.
Gogoi flagged contamination in food and Ayurvedic medicines as key concerns. He cited a 2021-2023 study across 34 cities which found 30% of turmeric samples had lead levels above the permissible limit of 10 ppm. He urged the Health Ministry to set up district-level blood lead testing and surveillance, prioritising children, pregnant women and communities in mining and industrial areas. He also called for stronger testing and treatment capacity at PHCs and district hospitals, and specialised training for ASHA and Anganwadi workers.
