Lead, ingested or inhaled, is a health hazard. After the addition of lead to petrol has been banned, what still are the sources of lead poisoning ? 1. Smelting units 2. Pens and pencils 3. Paints 4. Hair oils and cosmetics Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

Lead poisoning remains a significant health hazard despite the ban on leaded petrol. Smelting units and industrial refineries are major point sources, releasing lead into the air through emissions [2]. Lead-based paints are another critical source; although many countries have banned them, they are still used in India and other developing nations, where inhaling lead dust from these paints is a common exposure pathway [2]. While lead was historically used in hair dyes and certain cosmetics [1], modern pencils do not contain lead; they use graphite mixed with clay. Therefore, pens and pencils are not sources of lead poisoning. Cosmetics like 'surma' or 'kohl' and some hair dyes may contain lead, but the primary industrial and household sources identified in the options are smelting units and paints [2].

Sources

1. [2] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > 29.r.7, Lead in Paints > p. 414
2. [1] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > Lead > p. 64