Nearly 40% of children in Pakistan have unsafe levels of lead in their blood, with around 39% impacted in various parts of Karachi, as per experts. The Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP) Pakistan, UNICEF Pakistan, and Kamzmin Consultants shared these findings during a training session in Karachi. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) health specialist Dr. Humaera Irshad presented results from the Pakistan Childhood Lead Exposure Survey, revealing that almost 40% of 2,175 children aged 12-36 months from high-risk cities exceeded safe lead limits.
Lead, a toxic metal, enters the body through contaminated food, water, dust, cosmetics, spices, paints, and battery recycling, experts explained. Zafar Fatmi, a professor at Aga Khan University, emphasized that even small amounts of lead can harm brain development, the nervous system, learning, and physical growth. A recent study by the Ministry of National Health Services and UNICEF found lead in the blood of 40% of children aged 12-36 months in seven high-risk areas of Pakistan, impacting growth, causing anemia, weakening the immune system, and affecting cognitive functions.
The study identified various sources of lead exposure, including industrial emissions, battery recycling, paints, contaminated food, and cosmetics. Children in high-risk industrial areas like Haripur and Hattar showed the highest lead levels. With potentially up to 80% of children in Pakistan affected by lead exposure, the long-term economic impact could be significant, with estimated annual losses of 6-8% of Pakistan’s GDP.
