Abstract
Background: Heavy metal toxicity is increasing rapidly due to the increased use of products containing heavy metals daily life. It can cause acute or chronic toxicity if they used for long term unknowingly especially by the children.
 Objectives:
 
 To assess whether the school children have information about products containing heavy metal which are used in daily life and their hazardous effects with the help of structured questionnaire.
 To sensitize the school children about the products containing heavy metal which are used in daily life and their hazardous effects.
 
 Methods: Descriptive (cross sectional) observational study was designed among 300 primary and secondary school children. The questionnaires containing fifteen questions each carrying two marks (total 30 marks) about the products containing heavy metal and their hazardous effects on human body were given to students to fill the information and answers to the questions. Next day a sensitization program was conducted which was followed by the same questionnaire. The questionaries were assessed as pre and posttest.
 Result: All the students scored zero marks in the pretest. Hence, they were graded in no awareness category. After sensitization, in posttest 155 students (51.6%) scored between 21-30 marks and 144 students scored between 11-20 marks. The score of marks in posttest is highly significant.
 Conclusion: Results indicate that there was no awareness in school children about the products containing heavy metal and their hazardous effects on human body. Awareness increased after the sensitization. Hence, to avoid the heavy metal toxicity in school children, it is highly recommended to make them aware regarding sources of heavy metals which are used in daily life and their hazardous effects on body. It can be done through awareness programs to be conducted at schools. It may be achieved by incorporating this point into the syllabus of the school children.
Highlights
A heavy metal may be defined as on the basis of density or atomic number or chemical behavior [1]
To avoid the heavy metal toxicity in school children, it is highly recommended to make them aware regarding sources of heavy metals which are used in daily life and their hazardous effects on body
It can be done through awareness programs to be conducted at schools
Summary
A heavy metal may be defined as on the basis of density or atomic number or chemical behavior [1]. Some of them activate enzymes; others facilitate exchange and utilization of oxygen and carbon dioxide While most of these trace elements are acquired in adequate quantities through food, excessive exposure (nutritional, occupational or environmental) can lead to progressive accumulation and toxicity resulting in serious consequences [2-3]. Objectives: 1) To assess whether the school children have information about products containing heavy metal which are used in daily life and their hazardous effects with the help of structured questionnaire. 2) To sensitize the school children about the products containing heavy metal which are used in daily life and their hazardous effects. The questionnaires containing fifteen questions each carrying two marks (total 30 marks) about the products containing heavy metal and their hazardous effects on human body were given to students to fill the information and answers to the questions.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
