Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 26: Jammu and Kashmir will soon get its first Lead Awareness and Toxicity Referral Centre here as the Indian Society for Lead Awareness and Research (InSLAR) has assured all types of technical help for the same with active co-operation and involvement of Indian Academy of Biomedical Sciences, Jammu Division.
Dr A S Bhatia, vice-president of IABS and Head, Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical College Jammu, has been authorized by the InSLAR to initiate steps at administrative level for the said purpose. Click here to watch video
This was informed during a press conference, jointly addressed by Dr A S Bhatia and Dr Abbas Ali Mahdi, Director National Referral Centre for Lead Project in India, president InSLAR and Vice-Chancellor ERA University, here today.
“Lead in an environmental toxicant with the highest burden in developing countries like India. It is hundred percent a toxic element, which affects every system of human body leading to severe Anaemia, Mental Retardation with decrease in IQ Levels and its toxicity may even lead to renal failure,” said Dr Mahdi, a pioneer in the field of research in Lead Toxicity.
He further revealed that exposure to lead can occur by contaminated Air, Water, Dust, Food or consumer products. “Children are at greater risk as they are more likely to put objects in their mouth such as those that contain lead paint and absorb a greater proposition of lead as compared to the adults. Exposure at work is a common cause of lead poisoning in adults with certain occupations like Painters, Battery Workers and Jewellery workers at particular risks,” he added.
Lauding Dr Bhatia for working hard for the last more than one year to bring the J&K State on national level, Dr Mahdi assured all types of technical help in starting Lead awareness programmes in J&K with active co-operation and involvement of Indian Academy of Biomedical Sciences Jammu Division.
Dr Bhatia, while talking to the media persons, said that steps will be taken on war footing to fulfill this dream project to save the public from hazardous effects of lead toxicity and poisoning in Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr Harleen Kaur, Associate Professor Department of Microbiology and Co-ordinator of Lead Awareness Programmes, stressed the need of prompt Medical Attention related to Lead exposure.
Dr Sandeep Singh, Registrar J&K State Paramedical Council, impressed that special training programmes of various Paramedical persons will be initiated to detect the early sign and symptoms of Lead Toxicity in field areas especially in new born babies.
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