Listen to Story Children worldwide are at a growing risk of lead poisoning. Lead, which is a naturally occurring toxic metal found in the Earth's crust, can cause serious consequences for the health of children, especially for the developing brain. Kerala-based hepatologist Dr Cyriac Abby Phillips, who also goes by the Liver Doc on X, highlighted how children in Afghanistan are suffering from chronic lead poisoning.
"It has caused irreversible damage to intelligence, cognitive abilities, learning and is associated with aggressive behaviour in adulthood," he wrote, citing a study by US researchers who identified the source of the poisoning as " kazan ", a type of large cooking pot used commonly in almost all Afghan households. If there is one post you have to read today, make it this one. Afghanistan has a major public health crisis.
Almost all children have chronic Lead poisoning there. It has caused irreversible damage to intelligence, cognitive abilities, learning and is associated with aggressiveâæ https://t.co/RcxXb7iSkh — TheLiverDoc (@theliverdr) August 19, 2024 The expert also mentioned how children in Bangladesh have had severe lead impacts due to "adulterated turmeric.
" However, this burden was reduced after market checks and investigations on adulteration. HOW DOES LEAD EXPOSURE AFFECT A CHILD'S HEALTH? Lead poisoning has wide-ranging consequences. Childhood lead poisoning, even before birth, can cause lifelong health issues like learning disabilities, anemia.