More than 35 million children have lead in their blood, says UNICEF

Syeda Rizwana Hasan has announced a survey to identify harmful metals affecting children's memory, intelligence, and behaviour

Bangladesh ranks fourth globally for children affected by lead pollution, with over 35 million children showing harmful heavy metals in their blood, according to UNICEF.

These alarming statistics were presented at a national workshop held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, or BICC, organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in collaboration with UNICEF.

The workshop aimed to raise awareness about heavy metal sources, particularly lead, and to engage public and private sector stakeholders in reducing lead pollution.

The event highlighted research indicating critical levels of lead in children's blood, detailing contamination sources and pathways.

Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation have intensified heavy metal pollution, exposing children to toxins through air, water, soil, food, toys, paints, and cooking utensils.

Consequently, many children suffer from permanent neurological and physical disabilities.

Previous testing conducted by UNICEF, the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, or IEDCR, and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, or ICDDR,B, revealed that 40 percent of 980 children tested in Khulna, Tangail, Patuakhali, and Sylhet, as well as 80 percent of over 500 children in Dhaka, had blood lead levels exceeding the World Health Organization's threshold of 5 micrograms per decilitre.

Rana Flowers, UNICEF's representative in Bangladesh, emphasised that heavy metals, particularly lead, adversely affect children, leading to delayed brain development and damage to nearly all organs.She stressed the importance of implementing clear laws and effective private sector actions to mitigate these health risks and reduce the associated costs in the health and education systems.

Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan noted plans to conduct a survey to identify the presence of four heavy metals that may affect individuals knowingly or unknowingly, highlighting the negative impact on children's memory, intelligence, and behaviour.

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and UNICEF will initiate the 'Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey: Round 7' from June 2024 to December 2025, collecting data on blood lead levels and exposure sources, including food, air, soil, toys, and water.

This workshop, held during International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, underscored the government's commitment to ending the debilitating effects of lead poisoning on children.

Through collaborative efforts and comprehensive action plans, Bangladesh aims to address the urgent environmental health crisis posed by lead pollution. Its ambitious goal is to eradicate childhood lead poisoning by 2040.

The initiative, supported by UNICEF, seeks to improve national data on lead exposure and inform policy reforms to create a healthier, safer environment for all children.