general knowledge refresher
general knowledge refresher Published this article page no 94 Lead poisoning Context Recently high levels of lead were found in the blood of thousands of children living around the Kabwe mine in Zambia. How lead affects children? 1. Lead is a potent neurotoxin that causes irreparable harm to childrens brains. 2. It is particularly destructive to babies and children under the age of 5 as it damages their brain before they have had the opportunity to fully develop causing them lifelong neurological cognitive and physical impairment. 3. Childhood lead exposure has also been linked to mental health and behavioural problems and an increase in crime and violence. 4. Older children suffer severe consequences including increased risk of kidney damage and cardiovascular diseases in later life. How it costs countries? Childhood lead exposure is estimated to cost lower and middleincome countries almost USD $1 trillion due to lost economic potential of these children over their lifetime. Factors contributing to lead poisoning 1. Informal and substandard recycling of leadacid batteries. 2. Increase in vehicle ownership combined with the lack of vehicle battery recycling regulation and infrastructure. 3. Workers in dangerous and often illegal recycling operations break open battery cases spill acid and lead dust in the soil. 4. They also smelt the recovered lead in crude openair furnaces that emit toxic fumes poisoning the surrounding community. Need of the hour A coordinated and concerted approach across the following areas general knowledge refresher buy.
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