The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is urging Caribbean and other countries in the Americas to strengthen efforts to detect and prevent childhood lead poisoning, warning that exposure to the toxic metal often goes unnoticed despite its potentially irreversible health effects.
Marking International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, observed from October 18 to 24, PAHO said children can be exposed to lead in their homes and communities without displaying symptoms, even as it affects brain development and long-term health.
The regional health agency said an estimated 815 million children worldwide, or one in three, are affected by lead poisoning.
It warned that there is no known safe level of lead in the blood, noting that even low concentrations can contribute to reduced intelligence, behavioural difficulties and learning problems.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, studies indicate that approximately 30 per cent of children tested had blood lead levels exceeding five micrograms per decilitre, while nearly seven per cent recorded levels above 10 micrograms.
PAHO said lead exposure is also linked to nearly 200,000 deaths annually in the region, while the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 3.5 million deaths globally were attributable to lead exposure in 2023, primarily from cardiovascular complications.
“Lead poisoning is preventable, but we cannot prevent what we do not identify,” said PAHO technical adviser on chemical safety, Francisco Sánchez Otero.
He said stronger surveillance and improved identification of exposure sources were essential to protecting children before irreversible harm occurred.
PAHO identified mining, industrial activities, informal recycling of lead-acid batteries, lead-based paints and lead-glazed ceramics among the major sources of exposure in the region.
Children may also ingest or inhale lead through contaminated dust, soil, water and food.
The agency expressed concern that limited testing and surveillance in several countries continue to hamper efforts to identify affected populations and prevent exposure.
It said it is assisting Caribbean and other countries in strengthening laboratory testing, blood lead monitoring, environmental surveillance and regulations governing hazardous products.
PAHO is also supporting measures to improve drinking water safety, phase out lead-containing paints and promote safer battery recycling.
The agency noted that WHO introduced an initial module of its PREVENT Technical Package on Lead Poisoning Prevention in May, with the full framework expected in 2027.
PAHO said coordinated action across the health, environment, education and industrial sectors was critical to reducing exposure and protecting children from long-term harm.
“By linking surveillance data to targeted interventions, countries can move beyond documenting lead exposure to preventing it, protecting children from irreversible harm,” PAHO said. (CMC)