Violent youth

Violent youth

A recent edition of Scientific American had in its brief
reports reference to various studies that indicate a strong link
between violent aggressive behavior in adolescents and high blood
lead levels.

I understand that researchers from University of Indonesia
have already studied blood lead levels in various urban
populations and found them to be well above acceptable levels. No
one so far has made the link between high blood lead levels and
violent behavior.

About 18 months back, a report in The Jakarta Post told of
unacceptably high lead levels in vegetables grown at some
distance from major roads. Jakarta's police almost became an
indicator species for lead at one stage because on point duty
they are frequently immersed in clouds of lead-laden fumes (not
to mention hydrocarbons), which may explain their behavior as
well.

Pertamina continues to drag its feet (weighed down by lead
perhaps?) in removing the lead from petrol despite urging from
the World Bank, health bodies and consumer bodies.

While lead levels are not a singular cause of youth violence
-- anger, boredom, poor role models, lack of community
responsibility and alienation possibly all contribute -- lead is
a variable that can be acted upon in a short time with the right
policy and technical inputs. Good research can provide the
impetus for action.

It may be that chelation and not religion may be the solution
to Jakarta's violent youth.

MELODY KEMP

Palembang, South Sumatra