Urban Indian private schools at risk of proximity to toxic lead sites: report
A new report indicates that a significant percentage of private schools in urban areas, particularly in New Delhi, are located near toxic sites contaminated with heavy metals. Exposure to these pollutants poses severe health risks to children, including cognitive and developmental impairments.
Why it matters
The findings raise urgent public health concerns regarding urban planning and the safety of educational environments in developing nations.
In high-income countries like the U.S. and the U.K., it is well-established that people who live in poorer and marginalised localities are more exposed to pollution than those in wealthier neighbourhoods. According to a recent report, that pattern seems to be reversed in low and middle income countries (LMIC) like India.
The report, titled ‘Schools in the Shadow of Toxic Sites: Pollution Proximity in Low- and Middle-Income Countries’, looked at how close 2,840 schools were to toxic sites in 17 countries. It concluded that 10% of schools in LMICs lie within 5 km of a documented toxic site, especially in urban areas.
And of all the world’s capital cities, New Delhi topped the list, with more than 90% of its private schools located near a site contaminated with lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and/or pesticides.
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