Experts warn early childhood lead exposure can cause irreversible brain damage affecting learning and behaviour
Says children around the world continue to die at an alarming rate, with 5.6 million deaths recorded last year. PHOTO: FILE
Four in every ten children aged between 12 and 36 months living in high-risk areas across seven cities in Pakistan were found to have lead in their blood, according to a study released by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination in collaboration with UNICEF.
The findings highlight a serious public health concern, as lead exposure can stunt growth, cause anaemia, weaken the immune system, and adversely affect cognitive development. It is also associated with lower IQ, reduced attention span, impaired memory, and an increased risk of learning difficulties and behavioural problems.
The study sampled more than 2,100 children residing in high-risk industrial areas of Haripur, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Rawalpindi, revealing significant variation in exposure levels.
Read: PM Shehbaz reaffirms commitment to child health, polio eradication in meeting with UNICEF delegation
Children in Hattar, Haripur, were found to be the most affected, with 88% showing elevated blood lead levels, compared to just 1% in Islamabad.
“Protecting children from lead exposure is a national public health priority. The evidence highlights the urgent need for coordinated action across health, environment, and regulatory systems. The Government of Pakistan is committed to strengthening surveillance, improving enforcement of standards, and integrating prevention into child health programmes nationwide,” said Health Secretary Muhammad Aslam Ghauri.
According to the study, potential sources of lead exposure include industrial emissions, informal battery recycling, lead-based paints, contaminated food and spices, and traditional cosmetics.
It noted that risks persist due to gaps in regulatory enforcement, monitoring, and public awareness. Global estimates suggest that the burden may be significantly higher, with up to eight in ten children in Pakistan potentially affected — among the highest rates globally.
Lead exposure has also been linked to long-term economic losses, estimated at 6–8 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product annually.
“Children can absorb up to five times more lead than adults, making them especially vulnerable. Lead affects every system in the body, but its impact on developing brains can be devastating and lifelong. There is no safe level of exposure to lead for children, and its harmful effects are irreversible,” said UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Pernille Ironside.
Also Read: Illegal levels of lead in locally-sold paint: study
The findings were shared at a high-level meeting attended by key stakeholders, where priority actions were discussed. These include the development of a national action plan to eliminate lead from high-risk products, the establishment of a blood lead surveillance system within child health programmes, enhanced public awareness, the creation of a government-led multi-sectoral task force, and improved data collection.
“Lead poisoning is one of the most preventable threats to child health and development. The evidence is clear that it has lifelong consequences for learning and productivity. Eliminating exposure requires urgent regulatory action, stronger enforcement, and sustained investment in prevention and child protection systems,” said Abdullah Fadil.
A nationally representative survey is planned later this year to assess lead exposure among children and pregnant women.
