Half of children in poorer countries have lead poisoning: Report

Do you know that more than half of children in low-income countries are affected by high levels of lead exposure? A year-long project has said that high-level lead poisoning constitutes a global health crisis among children. Washington-based think tank the Center for Global Development (CGD) has revealed that children are exposed to dangerous levels of the pollutant. 

Center for Global Development (CGD), a nonprofit think tank with a special focus on international development, conducted a year-long project to analyze the potential effect of lead poisoning among children. According to the research, this problem is “extraordinarily neglected” by donors and political leaders.

One in three children have lead poisoning

According to the CGD research, one in three children – across the world – have lead poisoning. An estimated 815 million children are suffering due to lead exposure. Lead poisoning among children can cause heart and kidney disorders, impaired intelligence, damage to the nervous system, fatigue or loss of appetite, violent behavior, learning disability or slow growth and premature death.

Children and small babies are most vulnerable to lead poisoning because they unintentionally put lead items in their mouths. They may touch toys made up of the toxic metal. Children are more likely to put lead toys covered in lead paint into their mouth. Their bodies and organs absorb more of the toxic metal once consumed. The consumption of lead can affect the mental development of children.

Lead pollution: A silent epidemic threatens children

The effects of lead poisoning among children barred the UN from achieving the sustainable development goals. Previously, a paper published by the CGD revealed that the more lead children are exposed to, the lower their test scores in mathematics and IQ.

In poorer countries or low-income countries, lead and metal continue to be used in commercial products, including medicines and spices. When those spices are used in food, it becomes harmful for people’s health.

Reportedly, soil and air contamination in poor countries also affects children’s health. In poorer countries, lead was also found in drinking water.

Lead consumption can be harmful for everyone. Leaders need to adopt strategies to deter the effect of lead poisoning.