DyCM orders assessment of lead toxicity in 20 districts
Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow has been entrusted with the task to be carried out under a World Bank-funded research project.
Pathak has instructed the principal secretary of the medical education department to help
Lohia Institute team in the relevant districts and gather other necessary resources.
"This is for the first time in UP that a lead toxicity assessment project will be launched.
This will bring positive improvements in the health of children, pregnant women and at-risk professional groups," said Pathak.
Lead toxicity is a serious issue in developing countries, leading to problems in nervous system, bones and blood. Lead can hinder the mental development of children and unborn babies.
The project will measure lead levels in the blood of pregnant women and children aged 2 to 14 years. Lohia teams will collect blood and environmental samples in areas under primary and urban health centres.
Environmental samples like soil, drinking water, spices, cosmetics and cooking utensils will be collected and tested. Blood samples of industrial workers will also be examined. Regional frontline health workers such as ASHA workers and ANMs will assist the team in conducting house-to-house surveys and identifying individuals.
The districts included in the project are Agra, Mathura, Mainpuri, Aligarh, Hathras, Etah, Farrukhabad, Firozabad, Kanpur Nagar, Kanpur Dehat, Banda, Jhansi, Kannauj, Auraiya, Jalaun, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Lalitpur, Chitrakoot and Kasganj.
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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
DyCM orders assessment of lead toxicity in 20 districts
Lucknow: Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak has ordered an assessment of lead toxicity in 20 districts of the state to determine the extent of harm the chemical was causing to the health of pregnant women and children. Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow has been entrusted with the task to be carried out under a World Bank-funded research project. Pathak has instructed the principal secretary of the medical education department to help Lohia Institute team in the relevant districts and gather other necessary resources. "This is for the first time in UP that a lead toxicity assessment project will be launched. This will bring positive improvements in the health of children, pregnant women and at-risk professional groups," said Pathak. Lead toxicity is a serious issue in developing countries, leading to problems in nervous system, bones and blood. Lead can hinder the mental development of children and unborn babies. The project will measure lead levels in the blood of pregnant women and children aged 2 to 14 years. Lohia teams will collect blood and environmental samples in areas under primary and urban health centres. Environmental samples like soil, drinking water, spices, cosmetics and cooking utensils will be collected and tested. Blood samples of industrial workers will also be examined. Regional frontline health workers such as ASHA workers and ANMs will assist the team in conducting house-to-house surveys and identifying individuals. The districts included in the project are Agra, Mathura, Mainpuri, Aligarh, Hathras, Etah, Farrukhabad, Firozabad, Kanpur Nagar, Kanpur Dehat, Banda, Jhansi, Kannauj, Auraiya, Jalaun, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Lalitpur, Chitrakoot and Kasganj.
The Hindu
2 days ago
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