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Bhutan, after prioritizing happiness, now faces an existential crisis

(www.cbsnews.com)
271 points nradov | 1 comments | 18 Nov 24 13:53 UTC | HN request time: 0.001s | source
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mmmore ◴[18 Nov 24 15:52 UTC] No.42173533[source]▶
If I were tasked with improving Bhutan, one of the things I would focus on is probably lead. 3/4 of Bhutanese children have elevated levels of lead in their blood.

https://www.unicef.org/bhutan/press-releases/national-blood-...

replies(1): >>42174086 #
throwaway2037 ◴[18 Nov 24 16:39 UTC] No.42174086[source]▶
Wow, this is shocking. What is the root cause? I could not find anything in the article.
replies(4): >>42174205 #>>42177565 #>>42179238 #>>42179786 #
1. mmmore ◴[19 Nov 24 01:26 UTC] No.42179238[source]▶
The typical sources are:

- Lead paint

- Water supply

- Lead in cookware

- Lead in spices, especially tumeric, where leaded dye is used to make it more yellow

- Industrial airborne emissions

Leaded gasoline used to be on that list but not anymore. Not sure about the specifics in Bhutan.

If you'd like to help prevent lead exposure in countries like Bhutan, the two charities I know about are Pure Earth and LEEP. Not sure if they have Bhutan programs.