WHO Calls for Urgent Action Against Global Lead Exposure Threat

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning regarding the ongoing global threat posed by lead exposure, calling for immediate, coordinated actions to safeguard both children and adults from its detrimental effects. Despite being entirely preventable, lead poisoning continues to affect millions worldwide, resulting in severe health and economic consequences.

Lead can be found in numerous everyday items, including paints, batteries, cosmetics, and even certain spices. It also contaminates air, water, and soil, presenting long-term exposure risks in many communities. According to WHO estimates, lead exposure is responsible for approximately 1.5 million deaths annually, primarily due to cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, it causes permanent neurological and behavioural damage, particularly in children, who absorb the metal more readily than adults.

Calls for Action Ahead of International Awareness Week

In anticipation of the 13th International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, scheduled from October 19 to 25, the WHO reiterated that there is no safe level of lead exposure. Immediate measures are essential to eliminate this toxic substance from the environment. “No level of lead is safe. Every child deserves a future free from this poison,” stated Dr. Ruediger Krech, Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change, One Health and Migration a.i., at the WHO.

Dr. Krech urged governments, communities, and healthcare providers to act decisively to prevent lead exposure, emphasizing that “every child, in every corner of the world, deserves a future free from the lifelong harm that can be prevented.”

The WHO acknowledged some progress, such as the global ban on leaded petrol and restrictions on lead-based paints in several countries. Nonetheless, the organization cautioned that voluntary measures alone are insufficient. It called for strict enforcement of comprehensive bans on the production, import, sale, and use of lead-based paints, particularly to protect children.

The Economic Burden of Lead Exposure

Beyond health risks, lead exposure has significant economic implications. A recent study conducted by researchers from Jadavpur University in Kolkata, the National University of Singapore, and other institutions estimated that ongoing childhood lead exposure results in an annual loss exceeding USD 3.4 trillion in global economic potential. This study, published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, highlighted that low- and middle-income countries bear the brunt of this economic burden.

Researchers warned that increasing demand for electrification, coupled with unregulated recycling of lead-based materials, could exacerbate existing inequalities and undermine progress in children’s health if stronger protections are not implemented.

The WHO has urged all governments, organizations, and communities to enhance safety measures and take decisive actions to eliminate lead from the environment. Protecting children today is critical for building a healthier and more equitable future for generations to come.