Desk Report: Bangladesh ranks fourth globally in terms of the number of children affected by lead contamination, with over 35 million children in the country having dangerous levels of lead in their blood, according to UNICEF.
This alarming statistic was revealed during a workshop held on Tuesday (November 5) to mark the “International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.”
The event, organized jointly by UNICEF and the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, aimed to raise awareness about the sources of lead and other harmful heavy metals affecting children, and to engage both government and private sector stakeholders in efforts to reduce lead contamination.
The workshop highlighted findings from previous studies, which showed concerning levels of lead in children’s blood, identified sources of contamination, and discussed ways to combat lead pollution.
To understand the reality of lead contamination in the country, it is crucial to have data on lead levels in children’s blood across Bangladesh.
With this information, the government, businesses, and civil society organizations can collaborate effectively to tackle the challenge of lead pollution and protect the health of children.