DREADFUL LEAD

 
Published: Friday 15 November 1996

A 17-month air analysis in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, which ended recently, has found that lead pollution is the highest in the world here during the low-rain period. The analyis, carried out by scientists of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC), states that during the months of November, December and January, the quantity of lead was 463 nanogram (billionth of a gram) per cubic metre of air compared to Mexico's 383 and Mumbai's 360. Lead is a primary emission of automobile fuels and BAEC scientists have warned that it could cause respiratory problems and also retard intelligence levels in children.

Subscribe to Daily Newsletter :

Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.