WHO calls for immediate action to end lead exposure

Even though preventable lead exposure remains a serious global health threat and continues to affect millions of children and adults alike said the World Health Organization on Friday calling for immediate action to tackle the growing burdenLead is present in numerous everyday materials including paint batteries cosmetics and even spices It contaminates air water and soil resulting in persistent exposure in communities worldwideIt is linked to approximately 15 million deaths annually primarily from cardiovascular disease and causes irreversible neurological and behavioural damage especially in children Young children absorb significantly more lead than adults leading to reduced IQ learning difficulties and behavioural problems Lead exposure also harms the developing foetusThere is no safe level of lead and immediate action is needed to eliminate exposure and protect future generations said the WHO ahead of the 13th International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week ILPPW from October 19 to 25ldquoNo level of lead is safe Every child deserves a future free from this poisonrdquo said Dr Ruediger Krech Director Department of Environment Climate Change One Health and Migration ai at the WHOldquoEvery child in every corner of the world deserves a future free from the lifelong harm that can be prevented This week we call on governments communities and healthcare providers to act decisively to eliminate lead exposure and protect the health and potential of the next generationrdquo Krech addedWhile progress has been made including the ban on lead in petrol and efforts by many countries to restrict lead in paints the WHO stressed that voluntary measures are not enoughComprehensive bans on the production import sale and use of leadbased paints must be implemented and strictly enforced to prevent exposure particularly among childrenWHO urged all governments organisations and communities to act decisively to protect children and future generations from this preventable health threatLead exposure also remains an economic challenge in the 21st century according to a new global study including researchers from the Kolkatarsquos Jadavpur University and the National University of Singapore NUS among othersThe study published in the journal Communications Earth and Environment estimated that ongoing childhood lead exposure costs the world more than 34 trillion in lost economic potential each year with disproportionate impacts on low and middleincome countriesThe findings suggest that without stronger safeguards the everincreasing demand for electrification and poorly regulated recycling of leadcontaining products could entrench global inequalities and set back decades of progress in childrenrsquos healthThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever