Today, zinc is the 4th most consumed metal in the world after iron, aluminum and copper.
An adult human body contains about 2 to 3 grams of zinc, essential for the proper functioning of enzymes and the body’s immune system. Buildings near coastal areas are prone to cracking, even if pinhole moisture reaches the rebar. Once rusted, rebar expands seven times, causing cracks in buildings. The book ‘We all have zinc in our lives – Galvanizing India’s Economy and Health‘, is a comprehensive book on the benefits of zinc.
The book was written by Pavan Kaushik, former Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications at Hindustan Zinc (a Vedanta group company). Pavan has been a regular media writer and storyteller, credited with a number of stories and articles on zinc, lead, silver, iron ore, copper, aluminum and other natural resources. He is a veteran in his field with over 30 years of communications experience, and has served as a media consultant for International Zinc Association (IZA), Durham, USA and is an independent consultant for Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG) New York, USA.
All the inspiration for writing this zinc book came from working at Hindustan Zinc and promoting the benefits of zinc for good health and sustainable infrastructure, says Pavan Kaushik. He worked for over 12 years at Hindustan Zinc, the only integrated zinc producer in India, with mines and smelters located in Rajasthan.
talk about the book Pavan Kaushik says, “We need zinc for good health and also for a healthy and sustainable economy. This is a research-based book that would give readers insight into how the 8th metal known to mankind, and the 4th widely consumed metal in the world, is widely consumed. It was an honor to present this book to S/E Hon’ble Governor of Rajasthan, Shri Kalraj Mishra Ji in Rajbhavan, Rajasthan. During the presentation of the book, I also had the opportunity to explain to him the uses of zinc as well as the title – “We all have zinc in our lives – Galvanizing India’s economy and health”.
According to the book, an adult human body contains about 2 to 3 grams of zinc, which is essential for the proper functioning of enzymes and the body’s immune system. Every cell needs zinc to multiply. Generally, people don’t know that zinc helps prevent diarrhea, vision problems, hair loss, memory loss, tooth decay, heart disease, ulcers, etc. and is widely used in cosmetics and multivitamins. Zinc has also been shown to be effective in preventing osteoporosis and DNA damage.
Thanks to galvanizing, the zinc protects the steel from rust, which increases the life of the infrastructure. “Few people know that buildings near coastal areas are prone to cracking, even if pinhole-shaped moisture reaches the rebar. Once rusted, the rebar expands seven times , leading to cracks in buildings.Many important monuments and temples, including the Lotus Temple in Delhi, the Statue of Liberty in the United States, the Brooklyn Bridge in New York and the Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates, are all protected through the use of zinc galvanized steel.Even the Kedarnath Pilgrimage Temple Bridge and the Statue of Unity are held firm through the use of galvanized steel. zinc in our lives, contains very prominent examples where zinc is present and has proven its immense benefits,” he says.
India had been producing zinc on a large scale since the 12th century. The mines of Rajasthan have witnessed the production of zinc since the 6th century BC. Zinc was distinctly recognized as a metal under the designation of ‘Yasada’ or ‘Jasada’ (Yashad) in the medical dictionary written in 1374. The Zawar mines of Rajasthan are one of the oldest evidence of zinc mines dating back in the 9th century. These mines have been active since the Maurya period. The smelting of metallic zinc seems to have started around the 12th century in India.
The Charaka Samhita, which was written between 300 and 500 AD, mentions a metal which when oxidized produces “Pushpanjan”, which was thought to be zinc oxide. The Germans called the metal zinc ‘Caunterfeitum’ or ‘Mock-Silver’ because of its silvery-white luster and the ‘rishis’ of the Vedic era recommend ‘Jasada Bhasma’ a zinc-based preparation, as the treatment of choice for the diabetes.
The importance of zinc has been known in India since ancient times and modern medicine also recognizes the healing properties of zinc. Long before being identified as an element, zinc was used to make brass and medicine.
Today, zinc is the 4th most consumed metal in the world after iron, aluminum and copper. According to the ILZSG, 50% of the zinc mined in the world is used for galvanizing, 17% for zinc alloy, 17% for the manufacture of brass and bronze, 6% for zinc semi-manufacturers, 6 % in chemicals and 4% in others. various purposes.
