Question

Food wrapped in newspaper is likely to get contaminated with:

• A. Lead
• B. Aluminium
• C. Iron
• D. Magnesium

Hint:

Think about what chemical is present in the ink used to print newspapers.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question.
The question asks which heavy metal contaminates food when it is wrapped directly in a newspaper.

Step 2: Key Fact.
Newspaper printing ink contains lead compounds as pigments and driers. When food, especially hot, oily or moist food, touches printed paper, the lead in the ink can leach into the food.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation.
Lead is a toxic heavy metal. Once it enters the body through contaminated food, it builds up in blood, bones and soft tissues over time. It can damage the nervous system, lower a child's mental development, cause anemia by disturbing hemoglobin formation and harm the kidneys. This is why food safety guidelines tell people never to wrap or serve food directly in newspaper.
Aluminium, option (B), is linked with cooking utensils and foil, not newsprint ink, so it is not the answer here. Iron, option (C), is a mineral the body actually needs in small amounts and has no link to newspaper ink. Magnesium, option (D), is also an essential mineral for the body and plays no part in newsprint contamination.

Step 4: Final Answer.
Newspaper wrapped food gets contaminated mainly with lead.
\[ \boxed{\text{Lead}} \]