High level of heavy metals found in urine samples post-Diwali: CPCB

High level of heavy metals, including lead, was found in the urine samples of many patients due to direct or indirect exposure to firecrackers post-Diwali last year, according to the Central pollution Control Board.

Heavy metals can pose serious health threats. Heavy metal toxicity can damage central nervous, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems.

According to a study conducted by the Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health in 2017, on direction of the CPCB, there was excessive watering, redness and burning sensation in the eyes postDiwali among the sample groups.

The study, made public on December 19 this year, by the CPCB in compliance with the Supreme Court order that directed it to publish on its website all studies since 2010 relating to ill-effects of pollution on the health of citizens had interviews of 470 subjects for the post-Dusshera period and 787 subjects in the post-Diwali period in Pitampura, Kotla, Siri Fort and Parivesh Bhawan areas.

Out of the 20 hospitals surveyed in the study, there was an increase in admissions post-diwali in 10 (50 per cent) of the hospitals.

The families of the subjects were interviewed by means of a specifically designed questionnaire taking into account the respiratory, skin, ear, eye and other relevant symptoms.

The study showed that there was evidence of increased levels of lead, barium and strontium in the urine samples of many of the subjects.

"These are some of the metals used in fire cracker manufacturing. Increased levels in urine do reflect a probability of exposure. However, all other elements (present in crackers) are not increased to substantiate the effect of bursting of fire crackers," the study said.

It is also possible that the individuals were exposed to bursting of fire crackers directly or indirectly in their locality, the study said.

Lead affects the central nervous system in humans. When heated it can emit highly toxic fumes. Young children can suffer mental retardation and semi-permanent brain damage by exposure to lead.

High level of barium in urine was above the permissible limits in all the four areas of Pitampura, Kotla, Sirifort and Parivesh Bhawan.

"The level of lead in urine was above permissible limit in Siri Fort area, with nine out of ten samples in the danger mark. The level of strontium in urine was above permissible limit in four out of ten samples in Siri Fort and Parivesh Bhawan areas. Other areas also showed high lead and strontium levels," it said.

There was a 20 per cent increase in admission of people in four hospitals, with stroke-related symptoms post-Diwali. There was a 40 per cent increase in hospital admission due to cardiac problems post-Diwali in eight