Mangalore: Lead, one of the most toxic heavy metals which not only leads to environmental poisoning but causes serious health hazards to humans, has been a cause of concern in India, where lead poison persists at a higher magnitude, a top official of the National Referral Centre for Lead Poisoning in India (NRCLPI) said.

In 53 per cent of the adults and children below the age of 12 years, the levels of lead in blood is above 10 mcg/dl, Dr Venkatesh, chairman NRCLPI told reporters on September 19.

While most developed countries have been successful in reducing lead poisoning through aggressive implementation of preventive measures, in India this is lacking, he said.

Adequate regulating policies at government levels have resulted in reducing or eliminating most of the lead pathways in developed countries, he said.

However, most of the major Indian cities suffer from elevated levels of lead above 10 mcg/dl, he said.

And if this trend continues IQ levels of young children is bound to be reduced, he said.

PTI