Digital campaign for lead-free idols

Chemical in water causes serious health hazard

The institute has initiated the project in view of the large quantities of lead polluting water bodies during the immersion of idols.

NCLP Director Dr Thuppil Venkatesh said nearly 1.2 crore Ganesha idols are being made every year in the State.

He said lead-painted Ganapathis not only pollute water but also affect the human health indirectly by polluting groundwater.  He said: “We have begun training about 8,000 teachers regarding the ill-effects of lead. These teachers will indirectly contribute by training at least 500 students each on lead pollution.” Besides about 50,000 CDs will be distributed free of cost titled, ‘Lead and You’ in eight languages, including Hindi, English and Kannada, he added.

According to the findings by the Bangalore University’s Department of Environment Sciences (DES), huge quantities of lead enters the City lakes due to immersion. DES Chairperson and Principal Investigator Dr Nandini said: “In most lakes in Bangalore, high levels of lead have been found. Lead concentration was found in the range of 0.27- 4.78 ppm in Varthur lake, which exceeds the drinking water limits prescribed by Central Pollution Control Board.”

Lead toxicity leads to anaemia both by impairment of haemoglobin biosynthesis and acceleration of red blood cell destruction in human beings.