Karnataka - Bangalore

Epidemic reach of lead poisoning alarms experts

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: Fifty per cent of children in Indian metros are exposed to lead that is above the acceptable limits (10 microgrammes per decilitre). The cost to the nation from lead poisoning is about $600 million a year.

These were some of the startling figures that the National Referral Centre for Lead Poisoning in India (NRCLPI) together with Development Alternatives and Occupational Knowledge (OK) International, a non-profit organisation based in the U.S., brought to light at a workshop here on Wednesday.

"Lead poisoning in India has reached epidemic proportions," said Executive Director, OK International, Perry Gottesfeld at the workshop on "Supply chain measures to promote environmentally sound management of lead batteries". The primary reason for this, he said, was that the regulatory measures put in place by the Ministry of Environment and Forests to get manufacturers to collect 90 per cent of used batteries were unsuccessful. The bulk of old batteries was being redirected by unauthorised "backyard smelters", who recycled the waste in an unsafe manner.

To reduce emissions from lead battery manufacturing units and recycling facilities, and to prevent lead poisoning in developing countries, NRCLPI, OK International, and Development Alternatives have formulated standards called "Better Environmental Sustainability Targets" (BEST). Through eco-label licences, BEST, they hope, will provide incentives to manufacturers to improve their take-back rates.

By September, the audits will begin, and BEST aims to give its first certificate by 2008. Among the manufacturers that will participate in the initiative are Tata Batteries, Amara Raja, Exide, Hero Honda and Tata Motors.

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