A recent study published in Science of The Total Environment found that turmeric samples from Patna, India, and Karachi and Peshawar, Pakistan contained lead levels exceeding 1,000 μg/g, far above the 10 μg/g regulatory limit set by FSSAI.

Key Findings of the Study

• Extent of study: Turmeric samples were collected from 23 cities across India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal between December 2020 and March 2021.
  • Guwahati and Chennai also showed lead levels surpassing safe limits.
• Source of Contamination: Lead chromate is identified as the probable source, a yellow pigment used in paints and other industrial products, often added to enhance turmeric’s colour.
• Adulteration Patterns: Polished turmeric roots showed the highest contamination, followed by loose powder. Packaged powder and unpolished roots had lower levels.
  • Unregulated, loose spices were more often adulterated compared to branded, packaged varieties.
• FSSAI Regulations: FSSAI requires turmeric to be free from lead chromate and any other colouring additives.
• Previous Findings and Supply Chain Issues: The researchers previously found widespread use of lead chromate in Bangladesh to improve turmeric’s appearance, dating back to the 1980s.
  • Further investigation is recommended into the turmeric supply chain to identify contamination sources and understand the incentives for adulteration.

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About Lead and Lead Pollution

• Lead is a bluish-white Lustrous soft metal naturally found in the Earth’s crust.It is Usually found in ore with zinc, silver and copper.
• Used in production of Batteries (Automobiles and Inverters), ammunition, metal products (pipes), etc.
• Current Lead Use: Over 85% of mined or recycled lead is used in lead-acid batteries.
  • Despite the phase-out of lead in gasoline, paint, and plumbing by 2000, lead demand has increased due to the affordability of lead-acid batteries.

Sources of Lead Pollution

Primary Sources

• Lead-Based Paint: A major source of lead exposure, particularly in older homes.
• Industrial Emissions: Smelting of lead ores, battery manufacturing, and other industrial processes release lead into the air and water.
• Leaded Gasoline: Though largely phased out, residual lead from older gasoline can still contaminate soil and water.
• Occupational Exposure: Workers in industries like mining, smelting, and battery manufacturing are at risk.

Secondary Sources

• Soil Contamination: Lead from various sources accumulates in soil, especially in urban areas and near industrial sites.
• Drinking Water: Lead can leach from lead pipes, fixtures, and solder, contaminating drinking water.
• Consumer Products: Some traditional remedies, cosmetics, and imported products may contain lead.
• Food Contamination: Lead can contaminate food through soil, water, or additives used as adulterants.
• Dust and Soil Ingestion: Children often ingest lead-contaminated dust and soil, particularly in older homes or polluted areas.

Exposure Pathways

• Inhalation: Breathing in lead-contaminated air or dust.
• Ingestion: Consuming food or water contaminated with lead or ingesting lead-contaminated dust or soil.
• Dermal Absorption: Direct skin contact with lead-containing substances.

Impact of Lead Pollution

• Health Impact: Lead increases risk of heart disease, kidney failure, and premature death.
  • Lead exposure is linked to 5.5 million premature adult deaths annually from cardiovascular diseases as per Lancet Public Health. 
• Adverse Health Impact: Once lead enters the bloodstream, it goes directly to the brain, particularly in children.
• Children at Risk: An estimated 815 million children globally have blood lead levels over 50 µg/L, with 413 million over 100 µg/L.
  • As per WHO Blood lead levels as low as 3.5 µg/dL can lead to reduced intelligence, behaviour issues, and learning disabilities.
  • It is estimated to cause 765 million lost IQ points among children globally each year.
• Accumulation in body:Lead, which mimics calcium, accumulates in bones, disrupts metabolic processes, reduces intelligence, and increases risks of heart disease, kidney failure, and premature death.
• Economic Cost vs. Gains: The economic cost of lead-related premature deaths and cognitive impairments is estimated at $6 trillion.
  • Lead contributes less than $100 billion to the global economy, primarily through the $50 billion lead-acid battery industry.
  • The gross annual revenue from lead mining in 2020 was about $7.3 billion.
• Environmental Impact: Lead contamination affects soil microbes and is toxic to insects, birds, and animals, disrupting ecosystems.
• • Toxic to plants: Increase in lead concentration in soil from 0 ppm (parts per million) to 1000 ppm reduced germination rate of wheat seeds from 98% to 50% and reduced biomass generated by 44%. 
  • Impact on Birds: They develop anaemia, and brain damage and can have difficulty flying, landing, and walking, and face increased mortality.

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Proposed Actions to Mitigate Lead Exposure

• International Treaty: Researchers advocate for a global treaty to eliminate lead mining and lead-containing products, though such agreements may take years.
• Immediate Measures: Implement progressive taxes on lead products and provide subsidies for safer alternatives.
  • Establish a phase-out date by 2035 to stimulate development of substitutes.
• Legacy Lead Concerns: Lead contamination from previous uses will persist, but exposure would gradually decrease with reduced new lead use.
  • Example: The U.S. saw a 94% decline in blood lead levels in children under age five after phasing out lead in gasoline over 40 years.

Indian Government Steps to Control Lead Poisoning

• Lead Battery Waste Management Rules, 2016: Mandates environmentally sound management of lead-acid batteries.
  • Requires manufacturers, importers, and dealers to collect and recycle used batteries.Sets standards for recycling facilities to minimise lead emissions and waste.
• Import Ban on Non-Compliant Lead Acid Batteries: Prohibits the import of lead-acid batteries that do not meet specific quality and environmental standards.
  • It aims to reduce the influx of low-quality batteries that may contribute to lead pollution.
• Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint: An international initiative to phase out the production and use of lead paint.
  • India is a signatory to the Alliance and has committed to reducing lead exposure from paint.

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