Children risk suffering critical long-term effects of lead poisoning, research shows

The World Health Organisation (WHO) have discovered almost 1 million people die every year due to lead poisoning and children who are exposed to it develop life-long health conditions. 

As part of International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, occurring from 23-29 October, WHO have revealed concerning statistics with an aim to encourage all countries to raise awareness.  

Responsible for public health, WHO have discovered children who are exposed to lead poisoning can develop health conditions such as anaemia, hypertension, immunotoxicity and toxicity to the reproductive organs.  

The organisation has said neurological and behavioural effects of lead on children could be ‘irreversible’.

Charity UNICEF estimates that one in three children in the UK, up to 800 million globally, have traces of lead in their blood and have warned global action is needed to address this problem.

Dr Maria Nera, WHO Director at the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health said: ‘Lead exposure is especially dangerous to children’s developing brains and can result in reduced intelligence quotient, attention span, impaired learning ability, and increased risk of behavioural problems.

‘This preventable harm to children’s brains leads to a tragic loss of potential.’

As well as affecting children, WHO estimates 30% of idiopathic intellectual disability, 4.6% of cardiovascular disease and 3% of chronic kidney diseases can be attributed to exposure of lead.

When it comes to children, they can ingest flakes and dust from lead-painted toys or surfaces or be exposed through lead-glazed ceramics and some traditional medicines and cosmetics.

‘We have made significant progress.’ says Lesley Onyon, Unit Head, Chemical Safety, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health. ‘The world has seen the significant reduction in the use of lead in paint in the last 10 years with more than 84 countries now having legally binding controls to limit the production, import and sale of lead paints. 

‘We also now have a global ban of leaded petrol. But there is still more work to be done.’

WHO has identified lead as one of 10 chemicals of major public health concern needing action by Member States to protect the health of workers, children and women of a reproductive age and is calling on countries to eliminate all sources of child exposure.

The theme of this year’s National Lead Prevention week is ‘say no to lead poisoning’ and it’s the 10th year it has ran. 

Photo by Lucas Vasques