From toys and paints to sweets and cosmetics, our exposure to dangerous heavy metals in everyday life is growing but our regulatory system is still to catch up, opines the writer Dinesh C Sharma
The expose by the Delhi-based environmental action group, Centre for Science and Environment, about presence of heavy metals in fairness creams, lipsticks and other cosmetics has once again brought into focus the growing danger of heavy metal exposure in India. While metals like copper, zinc and iron are essential for human health in appropriate quantities, ingestion of heavy metals like lead, chromium, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and nickel could pose dangers to our health. Overexposure to these metals could cause a range of problems – from disorders of the central nervous system, brain, kidney as well as cancers.
We are constantly exposed to heavy metal through air, water and food. The problem of arsenic in groundwater in West Bengal and parts of Bihar is now well documented. It is a major health hazard for millions of people who are forced to consume arsenic-contaminated water. Lead is another common cause of heavy metal exposure in India. Automobile exhaust is one of the major sources of lead pollution in the country. The introduction of lead-free fuel in some cities has addressed this to some extent but availability of this fuel is yet to be universal. Commonly used leaded paints are another major source of lead exposure. Some companies claim to have introduced lead-free paints but the transition is very slow. Cheaply available paints still contain high amounts of lead. Several studies in India have found elevated lead levels in blood of children which can manifest in various health problems particularly those relating to neurological development of children.
Mercury pollution is also not uncommon in India. The presence of mercury in food chain – through fish – has been noted in several coastal and inland areas in the country, particularly those abutting chloralkali, cement and chemical industries, as well as thermal power plants. The thermometer factory of Hindustan Lever in Kodaikanal had to be shut down because of widespread mercury pollution. Health effects of mercury pollution still continue to unfold there. The use of mercury in thermometers and blood pressure equipment has been phased out but environmental mercury is still a problem. Besides, fish and even vegetables, mercury has been found in groundwater as well as surface water sources in several cities across the country. Dyes used to colour food items, particularly sweets such as jalebi and namkeens commonly sold across the country have been found to contain excessive quantities of contain heavy metals like lead and cadmium. The so-called silver foil used to decorate sweets is nothing but toxic derivative of lead. Even food-grade colours – if used in excess – can be dangerous. These colours are used in bakery products like cakes, pastries and cookies.
Most operators in the unorganised sector use aromatic dyes which are meant to colour wool or textiles and they contain toxic heavy metals like lead and cadmium, according to studies done by the Bangalore-based National Referral Centre for Lead Poisoning in India. The latest study on cosmetics shows that fairness creams, lipsticks and other lotions – even those being sold under top brands – contain mercury, nickel, lead and chromium. This finding is frightening given the fact that cosmetics are widely used even by children and those in low-income groups. Similarly, hair dyes are known to contain dangerous toxic metals. Food and consumer industry often argues that people get exposed to heavy metals is very tiny amounts which may not cause any harm. Only sustained exposure beyond permissible limits can cause any disease or affect the health. Exposure to heavy metals per se is not dangerous, it is contended. Theoretically, this argument holds. But in practice, the situation is totally different. First of all, India does not have a stringent regulatory framework when it comes to heavy metal exposure. Wherever permissible limits have been set, they are very liberal and there is no effective mechanism to monitor.
For instance, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) permits use of eight synthetic colours in specified food commodities at a uniform level of 100 mg per kg or per litre. While a sweet maker may be using permitted food colour, there is nothing that prevents him from using any amount as per his will. This limit fixed by the food regulator is unscientific because internationally approved Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of food colours varies from 0.1 to 25 mg per kg body weight per day. In the case of cosmetics too, manufacturers may be using permitted colours but there is no regulation on quantities they use. Also, how will a consumer know what’s the safe quantity of a fairness cream or lipstick so that his or her heavy metal intake remains within permissible limits? What do you do in case of heavy metal intake from multiple sources? It’s time our drug, food and other regulatory authorities wake up to this mounting challenge.
No comments:
Post a Comment