Q. Lead, ingested or inhaled, is a health hazard. After the addition of lead to petrol has been banned, what still are the sources of lead poisoning? - Smelting plants
- Pens and pencils
- Paints
- Hair oils and cosmetics
Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (UPSC Prelims 2012)
Answer:
1 and 3 only
Notes: The correct answer is
[B] 1 and 3 only.While the phase-out of leaded petrol was a major milestone in reducing environmental lead exposure, several other sources remain significant contributors to lead poisoning today.
- Smelting plants (Statement 1 is Correct): Primary and secondary lead smelting plants are major sources of lead emissions. These facilities release lead dust and fumes into the air, which can contaminate the surrounding soil and water. Workers in these plants and residents living nearby are at high risk of chronic exposure.
- Paints (Statement 3 is Correct): Lead pigments (like white lead or chrome yellow) were traditionally added to paints to speed up drying, increase durability, and resist moisture. Though many countries have regulated lead in household paints, old buildings still contain layers of lead-based paint. When this paint peels or is sanded during renovation, it creates toxic lead dust.
- Pens and Pencils (Statement 2 is Incorrect): This is a common misconception. The "lead" in modern pencils is actually a mixture of graphite and clay. It contains no metallic lead. Therefore, chewing on a pencil is not a source of lead poisoning (though it's still not a great habit!).
- Hair oils and Cosmetics (Statement 4 is Incorrect): Generally, standard hair oils do not contain lead. While some traditional or low-quality cosmetics (like surma or kohl used as eyeliner) have been found to contain lead sulfide, "hair oils" as a broad category are not recognized as a primary source of lead poisoning in the way smelting and paints are.