In the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, Indian authorities have found traces of lead and nickel particles in blood samples of several people as they were hospitalised for an unknown illness.

A team of doctors, which also included doctors from All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi are investigating the death of a person and hospitalisation of almost 400 people in the last few days.

Andhra Pradeshs state government stated that the AIIMS team found few traces of lead and nickel in their blood samples, whereas another hospital is also conducting similar tests.

This unknown illness has infected above 300 children as many of them suffered from dizziness, fainting spells, headaches along with vomiting. They all have tested negative for COVID-19. High levels of lead in the bloodstream can damage the development of nervous systems, brains and other vital organs as heart and lungs.

GVL Narasimha Rao, who is a Federal politician from the state, stated on Twitter that he spoke with the government medical experts and the most probable cause is poisonous organochlorine substances used in a few pesticides.

Geeta Prasadini, a public health director in Andhra Pradesh, said that it is one of the possibilities and they are awaiting the test reports to determine the cause. She further said that no new serious cases had come in the last 24 hours. However, a 45-year-old man died on the weekend.

Organochlorines are banned or restricted in several countries after research has shown their link to cancer and other probable health hazards. Few pollutants stay in the environment for many years and build up in human and animal body fat. It was not clear how broadly the chemicals are used in India, however they are found in DDT, which is an insecticide used for mosquito control.

If there is exposure to organochlorine pesticides even for a short period then it can produce dizziness, headache, convulsions, nausea, vomiting, confusion, tremors, muscle weakness, salivation, sweating and slurred speech, according to US health authorities.