WHO alerts on lead poisoning risk to 815 million children globally

The World Health Organization warned countries to intensify prevention of lead exposure, stating that 815 million children worldwide have blood lead levels of at least five microgrammes per decilitre—the level triggering WHO’s action threshold. Lead contributes to over 3.5 million deaths annually and can cause irreversible harm to children’s developing brains, even at low exposure, with no known safe level. Common sources include lead-based paint, contaminated cookware, cosmetics such as tiro, spices, and informal battery recycling.

For Nigerians, this matters because lead exposure can impair intelligence, cause behavioural disorders and learning difficulties in children, and sources like local paint, traditional cosmetics, and unsafe recycling practices may be present in households and communities. Awareness alone is insufficient; effective policy and enforcement are needed to remove lead from products before it reaches children.

Readers should check household items for lead hazards, choose lead‑free paint, avoid cosmetics known to contain lead, ensure spices are sourced from reputable suppliers, and support community efforts to safely manage battery waste. Where available, consider blood lead testing for children, especially if they show unexplained learning or behavioural issues. The WHO urges governments to move upstream—eliminating lead from products and environments—and is strengthening laboratory capacity in countries such as Ghana, Ethiopia, South Africa and Tanzania to improve monitoring.

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/10/15/who-urges-action-on-lead-poisoning-dangers/