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If I were tasked with improving Bhutan, one of the things I would focus on is probably lead. 3/4 of Bhutanese children have elevated levels of lead in their blo

by mmmore 2y ago

If I were tasked with improving Bhutan, one of the things I would focus on is probably lead. 3/4 of Bhutanese children have elevated levels of lead in their blood. https://www.unicef.org/bhutan/press-releases/national-blood-lead-level-survey-bhutan-reveals-3-out-4-children-tested-have-blood https://www.unicef.org/bhutan/press-releases/national-blood-...

throwaway2037 2y ago
Wow, this is shocking. What is the root cause? I could not find anything in the article.
- ablation 2y ago
  Some cursory investigations have revealed that there are lots of lead-painted surfaces [1]. Even children's play equipment [2]. And kitchen utensils [3]. And all the other usual sources, too. [1, 2] = https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365897933_Potential_sources_of_lead_in_children's_environments_Thimphu_Bhutan https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365897933_Potential... [3] = https://www.bbs.bt/national-blood-lead-level-survey-reveals-high-lead-levels-in-75-per-cent-of-bhutanese-children/ https://www.bbs.bt/national-blood-lead-level-survey-reveals-...
- cm2012 2y ago
  This is very common in the developing world, due to lax regulations on lead in products.
- mmmore 2y ago
  The typical sources are: - Lead paint - Water supply - Lead in cookware - Lead in spices, especially tumeric, where leaded dye is used to make it more yellow - Industrial airborne emissions Leaded gasoline used to be on that list but not anymore. Not sure about the specifics in Bhutan. If you'd like to help prevent lead exposure in countries like Bhutan, the two charities I know about are Pure Earth and LEEP. Not sure if they have Bhutan programs.
- bradleybuda 2y ago
  Poverty. Regulation and testing are not just a matter of will, they cost money. We like to pretend like all the wealth in richer economies goes to TVs and cars and fashion but health, education, safety, etc are all luxury goods.

by mmmore 2y ago

throwaway2037 2y ago

Wow, this is shocking. What is the root cause? I could not find anything in the article.

ablation 2y ago
Some cursory investigations have revealed that there are lots of lead-painted surfaces [1]. Even children's play equipment [2]. And kitchen utensils [3]. And all the other usual sources, too. [1, 2] = https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365897933_Potential_sources_of_lead_in_children's_environments_Thimphu_Bhutan https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365897933_Potential... [3] = https://www.bbs.bt/national-blood-lead-level-survey-reveals-high-lead-levels-in-75-per-cent-of-bhutanese-children/ https://www.bbs.bt/national-blood-lead-level-survey-reveals-...
cm2012 2y ago
This is very common in the developing world, due to lax regulations on lead in products.
mmmore 2y ago
The typical sources are: - Lead paint - Water supply - Lead in cookware - Lead in spices, especially tumeric, where leaded dye is used to make it more yellow - Industrial airborne emissions Leaded gasoline used to be on that list but not anymore. Not sure about the specifics in Bhutan. If you'd like to help prevent lead exposure in countries like Bhutan, the two charities I know about are Pure Earth and LEEP. Not sure if they have Bhutan programs.
bradleybuda 2y ago
Poverty. Regulation and testing are not just a matter of will, they cost money. We like to pretend like all the wealth in richer economies goes to TVs and cars and fashion but health, education, safety, etc are all luxury goods.