A health crisis affecting one in three children
800 million children globally have unsafe blood lead levels
800 million children globally have unsafe blood lead levels
There is no safe level of lead in a child’s body and no cure for damage caused by exposure. Lead, a poisonous element, affects almost every organ in a child’s body. Blood lead levels, even at the lowest measurable amount, can compromise the reproductive, neurological and cardiovascular systems.
Lead is a potent neurotoxin that causes irreparable harm
Exposure to this silent danger is particularly destructive to children under five years old, damaging their brains before they can develop. The lifelong effects include neurological, physical and cognitive impairment as well as mental health issues and behavioural problems.
Childhood lead exposure leads to years of lost productivity
In 2019, global lead exposure accounted for 21.7 million years of healthy life lost worldwide due to the long-term effects of lead exposure on health. Today, 94 per cent of the disease burden from lead exposure occurs in low- and middle-income countries.
Parents who work around lead often unknowingly expose their children
Substandard recycling of lead batteries is a major cause of poisoning
Among the most alarming and harmful sources of childhood lead exposure is the informal recycling of used lead-acid batteries in unregulated factories, where smelting creates toxic fumes and lead dust covers the ground.
Batteries are unsafely broken down, contaminating everything around them
The illicit use of lead in consumer products needs to be eliminated
The use of lead in paints, spices, cosmetics, toys, traditional medicine and other consumer products needs to be eliminated, requiring the development and reinforcement of legislation and policies. The recycling of e-waste should be regulated and should prevent children from being exposed.
Partnering to solve a global problem
How you can get involved
Together we can ensure a future free from lead exposure to help children achieve their full potential. We need governments, companies and organizations to support existing and new projects. Join Us.
