Lead is a well-recognized toxicant that has wide-ranging health impacts, in particular affecting the neurological, cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal and haematological systems. Young children are particularly vulnerable as they have unique pathways that can lead to higher exposures than adults. In addition, lead can lead to irreversible damage to the developing brain that may result in health outcomes that last a lifetime, such as reduced intellectual ability.
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| World Health Organization (WHO) |
The Institute for Health Metrics Evaluation’s (IHME) latest data estimates that more than 1.5 million deaths globally were attributed to lead exposure in 2021, primarily due to cardiovascular effects.
Important sources of lead exposure include environmental contamination from mining, smelting, manufacturing and recycling activities, and the use of lead in a wide-range of consumer products.
The majority of global lead consumption is used in the manufacture of lead-acid batteries for motor vehicles. Other products containing lead include pigments, paints, solder, stained glass, lead crystal glassware, ammunition, ceramic glazes, jewellery, toys, some common electrical and electronic items, some cosmetics.
Drinking water delivered through lead pipes, pipes joined with lead solder or from water system parts may contain lead.
Policy Background
WHO identifies lead as one of 10 chemicals of major public health concern requiring action by Member States to protect the health of workers, children and women of child-bearing age. The global elimination of lead in petrol for road vehicles in 2021 and reductions in the use of lead in paint, plumbing and solder have resulted in a substantial decrease in population-level mean blood lead concentrations. However, significant sources of exposure remain, particularly in low- and middle income countries. who.int
