40% children in Pakistan exposed to toxic lead

KARACHI:

Nearly 40% of children in Pakistan have unsafe levels of lead in their blood, with around 39% affected in selected areas of the metropolis, experts revealed at a media workshop on Monday, warning of serious long-term health risks.

The findings were shared during a daylong journalistic training session held at the Karachi Press Club by the Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP) Pakistan, Unicef Pakistan and Kamzmin Consultants.

Presenting results from the Pakistan Childhood Lead Exposure Survey, Unicef health specialist Dr Humaera Irshad said blood samples of 2,175 children aged 12 to 36 months from seven high-risk cities were analysed, with nearly 40% found to have lead levels exceeding globally accepted safe limits.

She said Karachi's selected high-risk localities recorded a prevalence of around 39%, adding that the survey was limited in scope and a nationally representative study was needed to determine the full extent of the issue.

Experts said lead is a toxic metal that enters the body through contaminated food, water, dust, traditional cosmetics such as surma, adulterated spices, lead-based paints and illegal recycling of lead-acid batteries. Accumulation of the metal leads to lead poisoning, which is particularly dangerous for young children.

"Even small amounts can impair brain development, the nervous system, learning ability and physical growth," said Aga Khan University's Prof Dr Zafar Fatmi, describing lead exposure as a "silent threat" due to the absence of early symptoms.

He stressed that prevention - by controlling sources of contamination - remains the most effective strategy.

LEEP Pakistan country head Abid Hassan called for a comprehensive national survey to accurately assess exposure levels and identify major sources, enabling coordinated action across health, environment and industrial sectors. He noted that international partners were willing to support such an initiative.