Maggi controversy stokes health fears: Here's how lead can harm your body

Probably the most disturbing aspect of the Maggi controversy was that the test conducted by the Uttar Pradesh FDA last month found that the level of lead in Maggi noodles was 17.2 parts per million (ppm), whereas the tolerance level for lead stands at 2.5 ppm. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has even said that there is no known level of lead that is considered safe for the human body. As states all over India are now testing to see whether Maggi is safe or not, here are some ways in which lead can harm your body: Risk to children [caption id=“attachment_2279416” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Reuters[/caption] Young children can absorb 4-5 times the amount of ingested lead as that absorbed by adults, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Thus, children are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning. Lead hampers brain development in children and causes behavioural problems. It might also cause kidney damage, slow rate of growth and aggression in children. Damage to brain, heart [caption id=“attachment_2279420” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Reuters[/caption] Lead poisoning harms the two most important organs in the body: the brain and heart. Lead affects the development of the brain and the nervous system. Severe lead poisoning in children can cause mental retardation and behavioural disruptions. Lead also increases the risk of high blood pressure. Weakening of bones, teeth [caption id=“attachment_2279424” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Reuters[/caption] WHO has said that lead gets stored in the teeth and bones after consumption, which causes decay in the teeth and weakening of the bones. Moreover, the lead stored in the bone might get remobilised into blood during pregnancy, making the fetus vulnerable to harm. Damage to kidney, liver [caption id=“attachment_2279426” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Reuters[/caption] After being consumed, lead is distributed to the kidney and liver. Lead is known to cause renal impairment in the body. Lead also reduces the number of functioning liver cells which leads to accumulation of toxins in the liver and bloodstream. Risk to pregnant women [caption id=“attachment_2279430” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Reuters[/caption] Exposure of pregnant women to high levels of lead can cause miscarriage, still-birth, premature birth, low birth weight and malformations in the baby.