LEAD POISONING
Item
- Title
- LEAD POISONING
- extracted text
-
RF_E_8_A_6_SUDHA
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BHUBANESWAR • CHENNAI • COIMBATORE •• HYDERABAD • KOCHI •
SHIMOGA • THiRUVANANTHAPURAM • VIJAYAWADA ‘ VISAKflAPATNAM
BANGALORE • TUESDAY • AUGUST 7, 2001
20 PAGES* RS 2.00
BANGALORE
Lead 'poisoning in
children rising
ndation, stated that in Mum- 1
bai, 76 per cent of children
Bangalore, Aug 6: Bangal above the age of 12 years had
ore has shown an alarming a lead content that was more
rise-in the number of lead-poi- ■ than the safe limit of 10 mg
soning cases over the past per ioo ml of blood. •
few years,’ said Dr T VenkatThe trends were bad in Kol
esh, Director of National Ref kata, Chennai and Bangalore,
erral Centre for Lead Poison- ‘ where unleaded petrol was In- :
Ing in India on Monday.
troduced only three years*
He said this during a semi back.
The study showed that
nar In the City on - Lead Poi
soning. He said the introduct-' while only 40 .per cent of Kol
ion of unleaded pertol led to a kata’s ' children above 12
decrease in lead-poisoning years had lead levels more
cases among children below than the safe limit, 56 per
the age of 12 years in Mumbai cent of children bom in the
and New Delhi, but Bangal last 12 years were above the
ore had shownas alarming in danger level.
crease, he said.
. Bangalore had an increase
Venkatesh said these “tre from 16 per cent to 40 per
nds” were the result of Mum cent. “12 years back, the vehi
bai arid New Delhi introduc cle population was not high.
ing unleaded petrol much bef This explains the low percent
ore Bangalore and the other age of children above 12
metros.
years with higher than safe
A study by The George fou limits of lead,” he said.
Express News Service
1 _
kN
INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER
Printed at Chennai, Coimbatore, Bangalore,
Madurai, Delhi, Visakhapatnam,
•
• Hyderabad,
••
*
• z * Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi
BANGALORE, TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2001
‘Lead In paint on
Ganesha idols harmful
*
•<
By Our Staff Reporter
bangalore, AUG. 6. This Ganesh
Chathurthi, Bangaloreans better
play safe with brightly-coloured
Ganeshas. Immersing die idols of
the benign God may symbolise
true devotion, but the paint used
on them can give His disciples
lead poisoning.
As Dr.T. Venkatesh, Director of
the National Referral Centre for
Lead Poisoning in India (NRCLPI)
here, puts it: “Lead gets into the
body through the skin, hair and
lungs.” And, during the Ganesha
festival, people immerse brightlypainted Ganeshas and polluted
die water, he points out.
“Hair dyes, bright-coloured lipi sticks and nail polishes, even die
; 'surma' which women apply, con
tain lead,” he says. According to
Mr. Venkatesh, one should not
wrap food in newspapers as the
ink used contains lead. Lead is al
so present in industrial wastes
and paints.
Lead affects organs: Dr. Venkatesh
savs that in children, lead affects
the brain and impairs all cogni
tive functions. But in adults, lead
does not spare any organ.
He says the centre, which was
formally launched on Monday at
the St. John’s National Academy
of Health Sciences (SJNAHS),
started work some months ago
and got over 200 blood samples
every month. Some contained
alarmingly high lead contents.
The centre, which is reportedly
the first of its kind in South East
Asia, aims at protecting people in
both of these categories by eval
uation and estimation of lead lev
els in blood.
Garlic Is effective: He says that for
treatment, the centre’s clinicians
use "chelators" to flush out the
lead. "A chelator is a chemical
that combines will] lead and is ex
creted out of the body. Bur, chela
tion also uses up the body's
resources of calcium, zinc and
magnesium. Hence, it is better to
use natural chelators such as gar
lic. Garlic is known to reduce the
lead levels," he adds.
For more information, the cen
tre, Department of Biochemistry'
and Biophysics, Robert Koch Bhavan, St. John’s National Academy
of Health Sciences, may be con
tacted (phone: 206 5058; website:
www.leadpoison.net).
Internet: w
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mankind, as from the weather
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email all your friends in santa cruz to access the times of indi
on http://www.tfmcsofindia.con
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Bangalore, Tuesday, August 7,2001 • Metro £;• •. L : .v;;<«
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Lead ..poisoning centre at
St John’s inaugurated
,
Times News Network
•
BANGALORE: The National Referral Center for Lead
Poisoning in India was inaugurated on Monday at the St
John's Hospital premises.
.
,<■ '
The center, a joint undertaking of the St John’s
Hospital and The George Foundation will provide updat
ed information on all aspects of lead posioning through
its website on ww-w-Jeadpoisonaiet It will also offer a
referral and confirmatory lead testing service for blood
samples received at the centre from anywhere in India.
According to its director DrT.Venkatesh: “We also try
to disseminate relevant information on lead poisoning to
government authorities, NGOs and clinicians treating
lead poisoned cases.” ■
■
■
The center will screen for lead poisoning, provide con
sultancy services to employees of lead based industries.
. maintain a national data base, organise training pro
grammes and attempt to create awareness on lead poi
soning.
(For details contact: National Referral Centerfor Lead
Poisoning in India, St John’s Hospital, Robert Koch
Bhavan, John Nagara Post Phone: 2065058.)
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tatacwc-mirx.
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Wanna test drive
the all new
Opportunity, now knocks every morning
SUMnCriCf
KsIMGSSZE
DECCAN HERALD
CuSStflCtS K)l owtnwms
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With mobile schools in the City
there is no escape from home
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REGO. NO. CPMG/KA/BGE-197/2001 VOL. 54 NO. 217
PRINTED AT BANGALORE, HUBLI-DHARWAD, MANGALORE & GULBARGA
BANGALORE, TUESDAY, AUGUST 7,2001
Internet: http://www.deccanherald.com
PH News Service
BANGALORE. Aug 6
A National Referral Centre for
Lead Poisoning in India (NRCLPI).
the first of its kind in the country,
was launched in Bangalore today.
The centre, jointly set up by St
John’s National Academy of
Health Sciences (SJNAHS) and
The George Foundation (TGF).
aims to serve as a centre for con
ducting blood tests for lead confir
mation, and to create awareness
among people at the national level.
Speaking to Deccan Herald. Dr
Thomas M George, founder. TGF.
said the centre in addition to offer
ing referral and confirmatory lead
testing service from blood samples
received from anywhere in India.
would disseminate relevant infor
mation on lead poisoning to gov
ernment authorities. NGOs. clini
cians treating lead poisoning
cases and other institutions con
"Project Lead Free" by TGF in
1996-1999. only isolated incidents
of lead poisoning were document
ed and very little was known about
the problem in India. The study
concluded that over 50 per cent of
the children below the age of 12
years in major Indian cities suf
fered from elevated levels of lead
above 10 mcg/dL.
Dr Venkatesh, Department of
Biochemistry, St John’s Medical
College, gave a presentation on the
past, present and future of lead.
!
He said the hazardous nature of
lead, one of the earliest metals
years ago) is evident
used, (8.
from the fact that it wiped out the
Roman race.
The Romans used to drink wine
in lead containers. He sought to
substantiate his point by saying
that lead was a slow killer which
affected the intelligence quotient
| (IQ) of those who consume it in
any form, especially children.
Dr Venkatesh further said it
(
Lead is a slow
killer which
affects the intelli
gence quotient of
those who con
sume it in any
form, especially
children.
—
I
Rs 2.00
j onriRi'iiiL j .
concluded at 12:10 p.m.
Prior to the motion moved in
favour of Mr Shankar, two mo
tions were moved in favour of Dr
M R Tanga (BJP) and Mr K B
was realised only recently that
Shanappa (JD-U). Dr Tanga se
lead-based ill-effects from indus
cured 14 votes in his favour and 50
trialisation
ranging
from
against. Eight votes went in favour
headache, blood pressure, weak
Mr Shanappa and 48 votes against
ness, disturbed cognitive function
The election of Mr Shankar to
were epidemic
in nature.
the post of the chairman had
According to him, so far there has
almost become certain with the
been no simple, sensitive, accu
Opposition failing to field a con
rate, reliable and economically
sensus candidate. The Congress,
feasible blood lead testing method
ology, a need which NRCLPI pro • which fell short of eight votes for a
victory, did not take the risk of
poses to fulfill.
fielding a candidate. Also, the
Vice chancellor of Rajiv
Congress, going by its "secular
Gandhi University of Health
principles.’’ did not want to
Sciences
(RGUHS)
Dr
support the BJP and the JD (U)
Chandrashekhar Shetty who inau
which are partners of the ND A at
gurated the centre said that lead
the Centre. The JD (U) was very’
problem should not be confined to
particular about fielding its can
mere community medicine but
didate. However, the JD (S) and the
should be treated as a general
BJP had no inclination to support
health hazard, going by the alarm
the JD (U). Following this, sup
ing proportions the pollutant was
porting a candidate of the JD (un
assuming day by day. He said such
attached) became inevitable for
an increasing hazard should be
the Congress and the JD (S), ac
addressed on a war-footing basis.
cording to political observers.
The centre has launched its web
site: wwwrleadpoison.net
The Congress and the JD (S),
Centre on lead poisoning set up in City
cerned and create awareness
among the general public through
education, documentation and
media communication.
Dr George is also a member of
the National Committee for
Prevention of Lead Poisoning in
India, formed by the ministry of
environment and forests. The com
mittee comprises members of the
Pollution Control Board.
He said prior to the national
lead study conducted under
ISSN 0971-717X
B
4 4 JiTl1
Cali: 98440 05267
Council Dy Chairman David Simeon congratulating Chairman
B L Shankar (left) or Monday in Bangalore. DH photo
which were firm about supporting Independents 2 and vacant 1.
Mr Shankar is the 24th fullMr Shankar, had issued a whip to
its members. Meanwhile, at a time Chairman of the Legislative
breakfast meeting held at KPCC Council. The post had remained
President and
Horticulture vacant for the last 13 months after
Minister Allurn Veerabhadrappa’s the retirement of Mr D B
residence this morning, it was de Kalmankar of the Congress as the
cided that the party should chairman. Deputy Chairman
support Mr Shankar. Chief David Simeon presided over the
Minister S M Krishna and a host Upper House from June 17. 2000
of ministers, including Mr onwards.
Mr Shankar, soon after being
Mallikarjun Kharge, Mr D B
Chandre Gowda. Mr D K Shiva declared elected, was conducted to
Kumar and Ms Motamma, at the chair bv Mr Manaiah and Mr
Mohideen, Water
Resources
tended the breakfast meeting.
The observers indicated that Minister H K Patil and Leader of
Mr Shankar got 30 votes from’ the the Opposition K H Srinivas.
Mr Shankar, who was elected
Congress. 13 from the JD (S). five
from the JD (unattached) and one MLC on Mav 14. 1998 from the as
from an Independent.
sembly constituency, is due for re
The following is the party po tirement in May, 2004. He had
sition in the 75-member Council: served as minister for large and
Congress 31 (Siddaraju from medium-scale industries in the J
Maddur was expelled by the H Patel ministry. The newly
Congress on August 4); BJP 14: JD elected chairman, who is an advocate and a coffee planter.
(S) 14; JD (U) 8, JD (unattached) 5.
20.
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*41. TTRnrnn,
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi; the 24th May, 2000
*
•
I
.Tfte following draft of the Battery (Management and Handling)
RuIes^OOO, which the Central Government proposes to make in exercise of
S O. 491(E).
the powers conferred by sections 6, 8 and 25 of the Environment (Protection)
Act, 1986 (29 of 1986), are hereby published for information of ail persons
likely to be affected thereby; and notice is hereby given that the said draft
rules shall be taken into consideration after the expiry of a peric : of sixty days
from the date on which copies of the Gazette of India containing this
notification are made available to the public;
TifRn
THE GAZEl'TE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY|Paivi II-Sic. 3(ii)|
8
>
Any person desirous of making any suggestion or objection in respect to (h*\
said draft rules may forward the same for consideration to the Cental
Government within the period so specified to the Secretary, Ministry of
Environment and Forests, Paryavaran Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodi Road,
New Delhi- 1 10 003.
DRAFT RULES
1. Short Fide and Commencement. -
(I) These rules may be called the Batteries (Management and
Handling) Rules, 2000.
(2) I hey shall come into force on the date of'their publication in' the
Official Gazette.
2. Application -These rules shall apply to every manufacturer, importer, reconditioner, assembler, dealer^-recycler, re-smelter, auctioneer, consumer
and bulk consumer involved in manufacture, processing, sale and purchase
of batteries.
3.
Definitions. - In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, -
*
(a) ‘Act’ -means the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986);
(b) ‘asscmblcr’-means a person who manufactures lead acid batteries
by assembling various components;
(c) ‘auction’ - means bulk sale of used lead acid batteries by invitation
of lenders/auclion, contract or negotiation by individual(s),
companies or Government Departments ;
(d) ‘auctioneer’- means a person who auctions used Lead Acid
Batteries;
(e) ‘battery’- means lead acid battery which is a source of electrical
energy and contains lead metal,
r
I.
i
[HFT II-TsP® 3(ii)]
x1l<d cR
: 3TUTURTTT
(f) ‘bulk consumer’ - means a consumer ,such as, Central or State Government,
”< Departments like Railways, Defence, Power, Surface Transport and other
Government and private institutions who directly buy lead acid batteries from the
manufactures;
(g) ‘consumer’- means a person using lead acid battery,
(h) ‘dealer’- means a person who sells and receives lead acid batteries to and from
the consumer/other dealers/retailers on behalf of the manufacturers, importers,
assemblers and reconditioners;
(i) ‘importer’ -means a person who imports new lead acid batteries in bulk;
(j) ‘manufacturer’- in relation to any factory manufacturing lead acid batteries
means a person or Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a company who has control
over the affairs of the factory or the premises for sale and collection of lead acid
batteries;
(k) ‘original equipment manufacturer (OEM)’ - means manufacturer of equipment
or product using lead acid batteries as a component;
(1) ‘reconditioner’ -means a person involved in repairing of lead acid batteries for
selling the same in the market;-----•—
(tn) ‘recycler’-means a person who processes old or used lead acid batteries or other
lead bearing materials for recovering lead;
'■
’
(n) ‘registered
recycler’- means an occupier registered with Ministry of
Environment and Forests (MoEF) for reprocessing of lead acid batteries and/or
lead bearing material;
(o) ‘State Boards’- means the concerned State Pollution Control Board or the
Committee as the case may be ;
(p) ‘used batteries’-means used, damaged and old lead acid batteries and parts
thereof;
4. Responsibilities of manufacturer, importer, assembler and re-conditioner .- It shall be
the responsibility of each Manufacturer, Importer, Assembler and Re-conditioner to-
(i)
(ii)
ensure that an equal number of batteries are collected back against new
batteries sold ;
file a quarterly return of their sales and buy-back to the State Board in Formi;
(iii)
set up collection centers at various places for collection of used batteries;
(iv)
ensure that used batteries collected are sent only to the authorised recyclers in
the absence of in-house recycling facility;
(v)
ensure that necessary arrangements with dealers for safe transportation from
collection centers Ip (he premises of authorised recyclers or in-house
recycling facilities are made,
(vi)
ensure that no damage to the environment occurs during transportation and
reprocessing of used lead acid batteries;
(vii)
issue advertisements from lime to time-
9
THE UAZE I iii 01' INDIA : EX I I<AOI<D1NAI<Y
_________ _ ______ ___________________ _ -
[Paici II - Sir. J(ii)|
- ~z: :r - .z-l-—’---- z.. . ----------------
~
------- —
(a) warning people of the hazards of lead;
(b) to return their used batteries only to the authorised dealers;
(c) about discounts offered; and
~
(d) addresses of dealers and collection points.
(viii)
use the international recycling sign on the Batteries except on imported
batteries:
(ix)
buy recycled lead only from authorised recyclers;
(x)
enter into an agreement with the bulk consumers for return of all used
batteries (excluding original equipment manufacturer batteries) to cither the
inanufactuiur 01 an aulhoiiscd iccyulvi, and
(xi)
bring to the notice of the Stale Board or the Ministry of Environment and
Forests any violation by the dealers.
5. Importer to furnish an undertaking - Every importer shall furnish an undertaking in
Form -II. to the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment and Forests before
importing batteries in bulk that the equal number of used batteries shall be collected back and
shall be sent to the authorised recyclers only.
6. Responsibilities of dealer -It shall be the responsibility of a dealer lo-
(i)
give appropriate discount in lieu of receipt of
consumer;
(ii)
ensure that an equal number of batteries arc collected back against _new
batteries sold during each year;
used batteries to the
>
(iii)
File a quarterly return of his sales and buy-back to the manufacturer in
loi in- 1;
7.
(iv)
ensure safe transportation of collected batteries to the collection points or
to the recyclers authorised by Ministry of Environment and Forests;
(v)
ensure that no damage occurs to the environment during storage and
transfer of batteries.
Registration of recyclers and conditions for reprocessing.- Each recycler shall
(i)
apply to the Ministry of Environment and Forests in Form-Ill and get
himself registered for reprocessing of used batteries and parts thereof;
(ii)
store and reprocess the used batteries in a safe manner;
(iii)
dispose of the
environment;
waste generated
without
causing damage
to
the
3(ii)]
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(iv)
submit solid waste disposal plan to the State Board and obtain their
approval;
(v)
submit annual returns as per the Hazardous Wastes (Management and
Handling) Rules, 1989 as amended from time to time to the State Board.
(vi)
make available all records to the State Board for inspection;
(vii)
mark ‘Recycled1 on lead recovered by reprocessing;
(viii)
issue advertisements from time to time'
(a) warning people of the hazards of lead poisoning, and
(b) to return their used batteries only to the authorised dealers and
the designated collection centers.
<
8. Responsibility of consumer or bulk consumer - It shall be the responsibility of the
consumer or bulk consumer to-
(i)
ensure that used batteries are not discarded in any other manner except
by depositing it with the dealer, importer, assembler, authorised recylcer.
reconditioner or at the designated collection centers;
(ii)
avail the discount provided by the dealer in lieu of used battery, and
(iii)
return all used batteries to the manufacturer or authorised recycler as per
the provisions of buy- back agreement with the manufactures in case of
bulk consumers.
9. Auction.- A person, who is responsible for auction shall(i)
'(ii)
(iii)
ensure that used batteries are sold to the authorised recyclers only;
file quarterly returns of their auctions to the State Boards in Form-1, and
maintain a record of such auctions and make these available for
inspection by the State Board.
10. Monitoring and Compliance.- It shall be the responsibility of the State Board to(i)
(ii)
ensure compliance with the rules; and
file an annual compliance status report to the Central Pollution Control
Board, 15 days before the end of the calender year.
(2)
The Central Pollution Control Board shall compile and publish the data so received
every year from the State Pollution Control Boards or the State Pollution Control
Committees.
* *~~- *^- '“ -
THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY
12
[I\mci II
Si c. 3(ii)|
FORM -I
[ see rule 4(iii), 6(iv) and 9(ii) ]
FORM FOR FILING QUATERLY RETURNS OF BUY BACKS AND SALE OF LEAD
ACLD BATTERIES AND LEAD SCRAP
1.
Name and address of the
manufacturer/ importer / delar /
rcconditioner / assembler/ auctioneer
/ seller
2.
Contact person
3.
Number and Location of sales
counters
—■
4.
—
Installed capacity to
manufacture/sale/ Lead Acid
Batteries
Total number of batteries sold during
the---------(I,II,III and IV ) quarter of
the year----Name and location of the
manucturer/lmporter/Asscmblcr/
Reconditioner/consumer from whom
batteries purchased
Name and location of the designated
collection point
5.
6.
7.
8.
Total number/quanlity of batteries
collected back
9.
Name, address and locations at which
collected betteries were sent
9,
Transporter used for transporting
used batteries
10.
Quantity /number of batteries sent to
•
Place------------Dale-------
Signature of the authorised person
I
F
[see rule 5 (1)]
UNDERTAKING
To
The Director
Ministry of Environment and Forests
CGO Complex, Lodi Road
New Delhi- 110 003
I-------------------------- Of m/S---------------------- hereby submit that I am in the
process of Importing--------------- MT of Lead Acid Batteries from M/S------------------------ --------------- (Name and address of the exporting agency). The consignment is expected by
—(Date, month and year) at
------------ port (name and address of the port) which shall be stored at
....................
------ (name and address) and shall be delivered to M/S-.......................... -......................
sold to--------------------------------------
cr
I undertake that I shall collect back an equal number of batteries in lieu of the new batteries
imported and sold and shall send these only to the authorised agencies or recyclers registered with the
Ministry of Environment and Forests. I further undertake that I shall submit quarterly returns as per rule
4 (iii) to the State Board and abide by their directions, if any.
Signature of the Importer
Date:
Place:
(Part II— Sir. 3(iD|
THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY
FORM-III
(see rule 7 (I))
FORM FOR
REGISTRATION OF FACILITIES POSSESSING ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND MANAGEMENT
PRACTICE FOR RECYCLING OF USED LEAD ACID BATTERIES AND LEAD SCRAP
{Tobe submitted in triplicate]
1.
Name & Address of the unit
2.
Contact person with designation,
Tel/Fax
Date of Commissioning
No. of Workers (including contract
laborers)
Consent Validity
3.
4.
5.
Air Act, 1981 Valid uo to
Water Act, 1974 Valid up to
6.
7.
_.
Authorisation under rule 5 of the
Hazardous Waste (Management
and Handling) Rules, 1989
Installed capacity (MTA)
Product Manufactured
(Tones/year)
Name:
(a)
Valid up to
•
1998-99
(b)
1997-98
1996-97
1
• •••
(c)
9.
Raw material consumption
(Tones/year)
Name:
(a)
*
1998-99
1997-98
1996-97
(b)
(c)
10.
Manufacturing Process
Please attac;h manufactui ing process 1 ow
diagram for each product
_____
V-
-- >-----
Water Consumption
12.
Water Cess paid up to
13.
Waste water generation
a. as per consent nrVday
14.
b. actual m3/day (average of last
three months)
Waste waters treatment (please
provide flow diagram of the
treatment scheme)
Industrial
m3/day
Domestic
m3/day
Industrial/Domestic
_______________
Industrial
Domestic
15.
16.
Waste water discharge
Quantity m3/day
I
Location
I
Analysis of treated waste water
pH, BOD, COD, SS, O&G, Any other
I
Air Pollution Control
c.
Please provide flow diagram
for emission control system(s)
installed for each process
unit, utilities etc.
d.
17.
Details of facilities provided
control of fugitive emission
due to material handling,
process, utilities etc.
Fuel Consumption
18.
Stack emission monitoring results
•
*19.
Occupational safety and Health
aspects
S.Number
Name
——
. ...
Quantity
D/M
I
•— I ■ .1.
1
Please provide details of facilities provided
THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY
16
......
. -
r20.
■
—
. .. »■i — ■
|Part II—Sl-C. 3(ii)J
—
~7
r._ .
■”
----------------------------- - ,
t
Remarks
r
____________________________________•_ V-------
(vi)
(vii)
Whether industry has Yes/No.
provided
adequate
pollution control system/
equipment to meet the
standards
of
emission/eflluent.
Whether industry is in Yes/No.
compliance
with
conditions laid down in
the Hazardous Waste
Authorisation.
whether
Hazardous Yes/No.
Waste collection and
Treatment, Storage and
Disposal Facility (TSDF)
are
operating
satisfactorily.
(ix)
whether conditions exists Yes/No.
or likely to exists of the
material being handled/
processed of posing
immediate or delayed
adverse impacts on the
environment.
whether conditions exists or is Yes/No.
likely to exists of the material
being handled/ processed by any
means capable of yielding another
material e.g., leachate which may
possess eco-toxicity.
Any other information:
(viii)
•
21.
<
ii)
iii)
Signature
Name
Designation
Date: • • •
■
Place:
[File No. 23-5/98-HSMD]
V. UAJAGOI’ALAN, Jt. Secy.
Priotcd by die Manager, Govt of India Press. Ring Road. Mnyapuri, New Delhi-! 10064
and Published by lhe Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054 — 2000
Table 1. Priority Items for Preyentior^nd Treatment
•
. No.
'
Item
Target
Duration
•
•
1
Eliminate the use of leaded gasoline by all vehicles, both old and new, including two- and
three-wheelers.
‘ .
5 Yrs.
2
Establish laws that require industries to comply with set safe stardards/levels for lead as they
pertain to consumer products, work environments, and waste.
5 Yrs.
3
Monitor and ensure that lead in drinking water and milk supplies is within safe levels.
5 Yrs
Discontinue the use of lead solder in pipes for public water supply, and replace them with safe
materials where feasible.
5 Yrs.
•
**
Except ih certain industrial uses, ban paint containing lead.
5 Yrs.
6
Prohibit the sale of food processing appliances, cooking utensils and food storage containers/pots
that may leak lead.
•
Require day-care, pre-school, kindergarten and primary school classrooms tn be as dust-free as
possible before children arrive each day.
5 Yrs.
4
1
•
7
• 5 Yrs.
9
On-going
Train health care providers to diagnose lead poisoned cases, provide treatment wheii needed, and
offer preventive steps to patients and families.
8
11
■
■
■
—
—
■
— ■■
■
■
1 ■■■
1
1
■
■■■
■
II-
■■
■>
-
.................. ..............................................
- -
9
Increase awareness among the general population about lead poisoning, and provide information
about day-to-day preventive measures.
On-going
id'
•
Monitor lead levels in the environment, consumer products, and workplaces, including cottage
industries, and ensure compliance of laws relating to lead.
On-going
1
"
IM
-!■■■—
-
■-
.
—■
-----------------------------
-
11
Clean up highly lead-contaminated areas, including removal of topsoil for safe disposal.
15 Yrs.
12
Carry but periodic and selective screening for blood lead of individuals living or working in
hig£-.~sk areas, and make available safe and effective orally administered chelating agents
at afford b : prices for cases where treatment is required.
On-going
•
•
Note: Target Duration reflects the time period within which the related item needs to be accomplished. However, continued monitoring and
compliance must be assured beyond target duration.
National Referral Center for Lead Poisoning in India (NRCLPI)
J Joint Project ofSt. John \ National Academy of Health Sciences & The George Foundation
“Around the world, exposure to excessive levels of lead in the
environment, the home and the workplace impose immense costs
with many millions of adults and children suffering adverse health
effects and impaired intellectual development. Lead poisoning is a
preventable environmental and public health hazard of global
proportions.”
“The Global Dimensions of Lead Poisoning: An initial Analysis”
Alliance to End Childhood Lead Poisoning and
The Environmental Defense Fund. 1994.
Lead is the number one environmental poison amongst the toxic heavy metals all over
the world causing serious health hazards to humans, especially to young children.
Through aggressive implementation of prevention measures, most developed nations
have been successful in reducing lead poisoning in their respective countries in the
past two decades. Serious commitment followed up by adequate regulatory policies at
the governmental level resulted in reducing or eliminating most of the lead pathways
in developed countries. However, in a developing country like India, lead poisoning
persists at a much bigger magnitude. Prior to the national lead study conducted under
“Project Lead Free" by The George Foundation in 1996-1999, only isolated incidents
of lead poisoning were documented and very little was known about the problem in
India. This study concluded that over 50% of the children below the age of 12 years in
major Indian cities suffer from elevated levels of lead above 10 mcg/dL. The
International Conference on Lead Poisoning held in Bangalore in 1999 by The
George Foundation elevated national awareness of this problem, and resulted in the
initiation of several measures at the national level to address lead poisoning.
The National Centre for Lead Poisoning in India is a non-profit joint undertaking of^
St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, and The George Foundation, both of
Banaglore. NRCLPI will carry out the following activities:
•
Provide updated information on all aspects of lead poisoning through its
website: www.leadpoison.net.
•
Offer a referral and confirmatory lead testing service for blood samples
received at the Centre from anywhere in India.
•
Disseminate relevant information on lead poisoning to government authorities,
NGOs, clinicians treating lead poisoned cases and other institutions
concerned, and create awareness among the general public through education,
documentation and media communication.
(More follows)
Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences
Robert Koch Bhavan, John Nagara Post, Bangalore 560 034, India
Phone:91-80-206 5058: Fax 91-80-5532 146 e-mail nrclpiafleadpoison.net
2
Cont cl...
In carrying out the above functions, NRCLPI will concentrate on the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Screen for lead poisoning by evaluating blood lead levels using established
international standards and protocols.
Provide consultancy services to employees of lead based industries in
evaluating, monitoring and eliminating workplace lead poisoning.
Maintain a national database of lead poison levels in different segments of the
population, and disseminate information pertaining to the current status of the
problem to all concerned governmental agencies and other institutions.
Provide adequate information to clinicians treating cases of lead poisoning.
Organize training programs for healthcare organizations on prevention and
early detection of lead poisoning cases.
Make policy recommendations on reduction and prevention of lead poisoning
to the government for national implementation.
Create awareness among the public through the media, publications and
outreach programs.
Assist researchers and academicians involved in research activities in the field
of toxicology with special reference to lead.
A developing country like India can tackle this serious, but preventable environmental
health hazard through proper awareness and prevention measures.
NRCLPI will
function both as a referral centre as well as a clearing-house for updated information
on lead poisoning from various sources - research organizations, academicians,
governmental and international agencies, industries, and the general public. It is our
belief that with better communication and networking among the various concerned
parties, the hazard of lead poisoning can be better handled, and significant reductions
in blood lead levels can be achieved among the general population in the coming
decade.
You can help reduce lead exposure in India and other developing countries by sharing
your experience with others. We are asking you to kindly forward, by email or fax,
information on the launch of our new web site www.leadpoison.net to professionals
you know to have an interest in reducing children’s exposure to this toxic metal.
Furthermore, we are offering all those with lead poisoning expertise the opportunity
to contribute articles, research papers and relevant news to www.leadpoison.net on a
regular basis. Your contribution to the site will make it a valuable tool for anyone in
India and other developing countries committed to preventing lead poisoning. When
you log onto the site, there will be simple directions on how you can participate in
sharing your knowledge with others.
For further information, please contact:
National Referral Center for Lead Poisoning in India
St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences
Robert Koch Bhavan
John Nagara Post
Bangalore 560 034, India
Tel.: 080-206 5058 Fax: 080-5520 777
E-mail: nrclpi@leadpoison.net
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: "JALARAKSHA",
: 080-5586321.
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(LEAD POISONING)
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LEAD POISONING
Lead is universally present in our environment. It can be found in air,
water, soil and various food items. It has a long environmental
persistence and effect. The presence of blood lead is the indication
of environmental pollution and the damage caused by lead is
permanent.
SOURCES
Industrial pollution from power stations, incinerators, car repair
sites, mines, smelters, etc.
Exhaust emissions from the use of leaded petrol.
Unsafe renovations & demolitions of buildings.
Emissions from burning of wood and coal.
CONSUMER PRODUCTS CONTAINING LEAD
Old toys, soliders
Painted jewellery, buttons, etc.
-
Certain Ayurvedic & Indian systems of medicines & remedies
Cosmetics including surma, henna, hair dyes & cosmetic
treatments.
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u\
LEAD POISONING
Lead is universally present in our environment. It can be found in air,
water, soil and various food items. It has a long environmental
persistence and effect. The presence of blood lead is the indication
of environmental pollution and the damage caused by lead is
permanent.
SOURCES
Industrial pollution from power stations, incinerators, car repair
sites, mines, smelters, etc.
Exhaust emissions from the use of leaded petrol.
Unsafe renovations & demolitions of buildings.
Emissions from burning of wood and coal.
CONSUMER PRODUCTS CONTAINING LEAD
Old toys, soliders
Painted jewellery, buttons, etc.
Certain Ayurvedic & Indian systems of medicines & remedies.
Cosmetics including surma, henna, hair dyes & cosmetic
treatments.
Shaking of hands & head
*
Weakness
Memory loss
Stomach aches
*
Sleeplessness
Constipation
k
Irritability, Nervousness
*
Weight Loss
*
Problems during Pregnancy
*
Muscle, bone joint aches
*
Loss of appetite
*
Anemia
*
Nausea
*
High Blood Pressure
*
Dizziness
*
Damage of Kidney
*
Feeling depressed
*
Loss of concentration.
*
Persistent fatigue
IF YOU ARE AN EMPLOYER IN A LEAD BASED INDUSTRY :
All areas of possible lead exposure must be monitored to determine
level of lead.
This measurement must be done with a representative number of
employees who have the risk of being exposed to lead.
Measurement has to be done using personal air samplers.
If the lead content in initial air monitoring is above 30pg/m3
appropriate action has to be taken which include.
*
Establishment of air monitoring programme
*
Appropriate training related to lead exposure.
*
Medical surveillance for workers, including medical lead
removal if needed, without loss of pay or benefits.
Before assigning a job to any body that will expose him or her to
lead, he or she must be made aware of the risk.
Employee who is tested for the level of his blood lead must be notified
in writing, with in 5 days of the lab results. The written notification must
include a plan of action if exposure is above the Permissible Exposure
Limit (PEL).
Employees should also be advised that lead particles and dust could
get in to the air, or onto the employee’s clothes and body.
Employees can inadvertently expose their families to “take home" lead
and family members may get affected.
Special training should be provided on safety aspects to all employees.
Medical Care on regular basis is to be provided to all employees.
LET US NOT POLLUTE THE AIR WE BREATH
®
With our vehicular exhaust,
.3
By burning urban waste,
®
With Industrial gases, aerosols,
©
Using Poor refrigerating systems
LET US NOT CONTAMINATE WATER WE USE
0
With chemicals
®
By dumping painted toys and other objects.
®
Dyes
©
With pesticides and insecticides
LET US CONSUME FOOD ONLY WHEN WE ARE SURE ABOUT
©
Preservations used
o
Storage Procedure
©
Contents
UNFORTUNATELY SOME ACTIVITIES
CAN EXPOSE YOU TO LEAD AND
YOU WOULDN'T EVEN KNOW IT...
AND THAT COULD EFFECT YOUR HEALTH SEVERLY
“LET US LIVE IN HARMONY WITH NATURE
BY KEEPING OUR ENVIRONMENT SAFE TO LIVE"
WITH THE ABOVE CONCERN WE CAN KEEP AWAY
FROM THE ILL EFFECTS OF LEAD - IT IS POSSIBLE.
Courtesy : Dr. T. Venkatesh, Director NFC for Lead Poisoning in India
(A Joint Project of St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences and the George Foundation)
9
samples drawn from seven cities.
The cities include Bangalore.
BANGALORE: Nothing could be
more encouraging for George Calcutta, Delhi. Mumbai and
Foundation, host of the largest-ever Chennai.
"Preliminary indications point
international conference on lead
poisoning, than a message from towards a national crisis in the
Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee making if we do not act swiftly. A
recognising "lead poisoning as the hundred million urban children
second deadly scourge after and pregnant women are affected
in India, the cost of which will
AIDS".
In a statement to the foundation become prohibitively high very
on the eve of the conference, which soon," Mr George said.
Stressing the significance of the •
begins here on Monday, Mr Vajpay
ee said, "Lead poisoning is qualita conference, which will have 80 sci
tively affecting the living conditions entists from 20 countries, Mr Abra
ham said the study was comprehen
of thousands of our countrymen.
Statistics indicate that lead pollu sive enough for the government to
tion in our environment has take action.
reached alarming levels and the
"We do not want the governgovernment has taken the first step ment to carry out any study for the
to eliminate this potent hazard by next five years. Besides, the govern
making lead-free petrol mandatory ment cannot solve the problem. It
for use by all automobiles."
only needs to prioritise the issue.
Indicating that Delhi was the city
There are various agencies
worst-affected by lead pollution in involved, including educational
India, the prime mover of the lead- institutions, hospitals, non-governfree project and founder of George menl organisations, ministries and
Foundation. Abraham George, said oil companies, which need to put
it was the largest ever study under their acts together," MrGcorge
taken in the world, with over 22,000 observed.
Seema Singh
Abraham George
Lamenting the lack of awareness
about lead poisoning, which studies
have shown can badly affect the IQ
level of children (for very' 10 micro
gram increase of lead in blood lev
els, there is a 5.8 per cent decline in
IQ). Mr George cited the examples
of the developed countries which
undertook a lead eradication pro
gramme quite early.
“The USA has been able to bring
down lead poisoning by 95 per cent
in 35 years. But we are starting
today, if we are starting," he said.
On the level of awareness there,
Mr George said, "Maximum law
suits in New York City are filed
against landlords because children
are adversely affected by old paints
containing lead."
The purpose of the conference is
to bring out a blueprint for a
national policy on screening and
measurement, prevention, health
effects and treatment methodolo
gies.
'Fhe while paper would be pre
pared by the foundation, based on
deliberations at the conference, and
a panel of experts both from the
USA and India. Mr George said.
The whitepaper is expected tol
be released in a couple of months,
he added.
Besides being the founder of
George Foundation, Mr Abraham
George is the vice-chairman of
SunGard Treasury Systems, a unit
of an American software company,
SunGard Data Systems.
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Lead poisoning assumes alarming proportions in India
o you think that little tot of
yours is a prodigy? If so,
kindly keep the kid
indoors.
when
you
take
him And
or her
outdoor,
B
make sure an air mask is firmly in place.
Because there lurks an invisible enemy
— a poison called lead. Ever}' breath the
child inhales is polluted with lead.
A recent countrywide survey has
shown that more than 34 per cent of
children below the age of 12, living in
six major cities across the country, are
suffering from high levels of lead poison
ing {see box).
" I would put the danger of lead poison
ing right next to the threat posed by
AIDS.’ says Dr T. Venkatesh, head of
the biophysics department at the St Joh
n’s Medical Hospital, Bangalore.
"Children absorb lead five to six times
faster than adults do. And the damage it
causes in a growing child is enormous. I
would say an entire generation is being
affected," observes Venkatesh, who
supervised the two-year study called
32
‘Project Lead-Free’.
Some fear that the problem is bound
to worsen. "With vehicular congestion
increasing in the cities, with more and
more flight of people from the rural to
urban areas, and with increasing child
labour, a larger segment of the popula
tion is going to be exposed to and suffer
from lead poisoning," says Dr Padmanabhan P. Nair, professor of public health
at John Hopkins University.
Lead, once ingested, gets deposited in
soft tissues like brain, kidney and liver
and irretrievably damages these organs.
Although it doesn’t manifest itself, lead
poisoning does cause severe anaemia
and lowers a child’s learning capabilit
ies for life (a World Bank report says
lead poisoning can impair a child’s IQ
by six per cent). Lead cqn harm even the
foetus since it easily crosses the placen
tal barrier.
The internationally-accepted level of
lead in blood is less than ten microgram
mes per decilitre (MG/DC). The Indian
study, which tested a cross section of
22,000 people in seven cities for lead poi
soning, found that more than 26 per cent
of the population — including the 34 per
cent of children less than 12 years—had
more than ten MG/DC of lead in their
blood.
"This study has shown that a majority
of Indian children in the cities will never
learn fully for their entire lives. They
will remain underachievers. Besides,
children affected by lead poisoning are
seven times more likely to drop out of
school," says Dr Joel Schwartz, who
teaches environmental epidemiology at
the Harvard School Of Public Health.
"The statistics are alarming but steps
should be taken to see that this does not
end in a tragedy."
a^u^ls discharge the lead in
W their blood through fluids, it is dif
ferent in the case of children. Their grow
ing bodies need iron, the lack of which
causes anaemia. "Anaemia causes grea
ter absorption of lead and lead causes
greater anaemia," warns Dr Venkatesh.
SUNDAY 28 FtRxuary—6 March j 999
7hs main scurca of laad
pollution in India is
petrol. According to the
government’s deadline,
ail vehicles in the
country are to use only
unleaded petrol from
April 2000 in order to
reduce lead poisonina
"It is a vicious cycle At lower levels, it
is easy to control the effects of lead poiso
ning by taking enough environmental
protection."
Children absorb lead through the air,
by sucking their thumbs, chewing on
pencils, crayons, etc. Some children
also lick flakes of wall paint because it
tastes sweet. But even a small flake of
wall paint can contain upto 200 mg of
lead.
Research has shown that, in general,
the mam sources of lead poisoning are
soldered cans and cooking vessels, leadbased paints, plumbing systems contain
ing lead and some forms of traditional
medicines. Lead is also contained in
some items like surma, hair dye, a few
brands of Chawanprash, haldi. etc. The
immersion of colourful Ganesha and
Durga idols causes lead pollution of
waler bodies since the paints contain
hish levels of lead.
Ln India, however, as in other develop
ing countries, the main source of lead
pollution is petrol. Though a national
emission standard for lead and other pol
lutants has been fixed at the level of 0.56
gram per litre, the exhaust from automo
biles using leaded petrol in the major cit
ies is far in excess of the prescribed limit.
For instance, restrictions have been in
force in Delhi for over a year regarding
use of unleaded petrol. Yet, the city
recorded the highest rate of lead emis
sion: 259 tonnes. But where enforce
ment of the law is more strict, such as in
developed countries, a decrease in vehi
cular traffic has shown a drop in lead
levels in blood.
Will the compulsory use of unleaded
petrol clear the noxious fumes envelop
ing our cities? "That is one way," says
Dr H.N. Saiycd, director of the
3?
*
Children are most susceptible to lead poisoning
ver 22,000 people across seven cities were tested over two years under the
‘project lead-free’ programme undertaken by the George Foundation,
based in Bangalore. Though the study included adults like pregnant women,
workers in the battery and paint industry who are exposed to lead, and traffic
policemen, the focus of the study was children. Among those tested were • .
toddlers, slum children, child labourers, and school children in both low and .“
high income groups. ;;
,. :•
'■
■ The cities in which the tests were conducted were Delhi, Bombay, Madras,
Calcutta, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Vellore. The findings were alarming, to/,’-.
say the least. The percentage of children below the age of 12 with more than
ten microgrammes per decilitre of lead in their blood, in the various cities, was >
as follows: Delhi (64.38); Bombay (29.33); Madras (61.33); Calcutta’(57.36);^
Hyderabad (34.78); Bangalore (31.18). (Statistics for Vellore are not available'),
yet.) Among those above 12 years of age»’26.53 percent were found to have
lead-levels in blood higher than 10 microgrammcs/decilitre. © A
O
Ahmcdabad-based National Institute Of
Occupational Health. "Obi studies have
shown that rural children have as high a
rate of lead poisoning as urban children.
The answer lies in ridding our environ
ment of sources of lead poisoning "
At an international conference on pre
vention and treatment of lead poisoning
held in Bangalore recently, some sugges
tions were made for finding creative
solutions which arc country-specific
and economically feasible.
"One of the problems facing India is
curbing of illicit liquor," says Dr Saiyed.
"The government spends enormous
amount of money and manpower in
fighting this. Instead, the answer would
pollution of
water bodies
since the paints
contain high
levels of lead
be to convert brewing of liquor into a
cooperative endeavour and go in for oxy
genated fuel. If even 30 per cent of fuel
can come from alcohol, the government
will save an estimated 20 per cent of itsoutlay on import of petroleum products.
Such changes requiring policy altera
tions may take a while. For now,
however, the answer perhaps lies in
switching over to unleaded petrol.
According to the government’s deadli
ne, all vehicles in the country are suppos
ed to use only unleaded petrol from
April 2000 with the aim of reducing lead
pollution.
■■■ •_ <
But then, haven’t we always been
generous in making laws and become
slack when it comes to implementing
them? •
Gauri Utnkssh/Bangslora
SU«-ttX\Y
fetxuAfy—6 Mi/Ui 1999
33
- Media
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