Poisoned potential

The state must strictly enforce punitive measures to prevent people from exposure to lead.

Nepali public health discourse has always downplayed heavy metal exposure and poisoning and treated it as a peripheral concern of the industrial sector. Yet, a recent study by the Centre for Public Health and Environmental Development (CEPHED) has revealed a terrifying reality: Millions of Nepalis are exposed to lead, a toxic heavy metal, through daily essentials such as toothpaste, sindoor and eyeliners. As per the report, 24 percent of tested samples exceeded international safety limits, and 16 percent even breached Nepal’s lenient guidelines. The regulatory bodies have seemingly entirely abandoned their duty.