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