Next week, 20–26 October 2024, marks the start of the twelfth annual with over 50 events being held in countries around the world. This year’s theme is Bright Futures Begin Lead Free, and WHO and partners are raising the alarm on the urgent need to address global lead exposure and its permanent and devastating effects on child health. Lead is a highly toxic substance, with no known safe level of exposure. WHO identifies lead as one of the top 10 chemicals of major public health concern. Children are especially vulnerable, and protecting their developing nervous systems from lead poisoning is critical for their lifelong health and well-being. Health care professionals and the public alike must be able to recognize the risks and sources of lead exposure.
“Ending lead poisoning is both possible and achievable,” said Dr Maria Neira, Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, World Health Organization. “As we approach International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, we urge governments, health professionals and communities to take decisive action to protect our children and ensure a healthier future for all.”
Lead exposure is linked to approximately 1.5 million deaths annually primarily from cardiovascular disease and causes irreversible neurological and behavioural damage, particularly in children. Children’s developing systems absorb significantly more lead than adults, leading to long-term effects such as reduced IQ, learning difficulties and behavioural issues. Additionally, lead can cause harm the developing fetus. Lead is prevalent in many everyday materials – paint, batteries and even cosmetics and household basics such as spices – contributing to widespread contamination of air, water and soil, and leading to persistent exposure in communities globally.
Political commitment to tackle the many and various sources of exposure to lead have recently been given a boost with the launch of a new Partnership for a Lead-Free Future with a goal of ending childhood lead poisoning by 2040. The Partnership aims to champion country efforts to end widespread childhood lead poisoning in low- and middle-income countries, accelerate the development, adoption and enforcement of standards and foster additional key partnerships between governments, industry, international organizations, civil society and other key stakeholders. The involvement of the health sector in achieving this ambitious goal is essential.
In collaboration with UNICEF, WHO launched a on children’s environmental health for healthcare professionals, including essential training on lead exposure and prevention. This is part of a broader strategy to address lead at its source and prevent exposure, through initiatives including the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint. Over the past 15 years, the Alliance, under the joint leadership of WHO and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has driven the national establishment of legally binding measures to phase-out lead in paint. The number of countries with legally binding measures has almost doubled since the establishment of the Alliance.
WHO urges all governments to implement comprehensive bans on the production, import, sale and use of lead-based paints. Voluntary measures are insufficient; strict regulations must be enforced to prevent further exposure, particularly in children.
Ending lead poisoning is not only possible, it is within reach.
