Lead has been discovered in the blood of 40% of children aged 12-36 months in seven high-risk areas of Pakistan, as per a recent study by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, along with UNICEF. The exposure to lead can hinder growth, lead to anemia, weaken the immune system, lower IQ levels, reduce attention span, impair memory, and increase the risk of learning and behavioral issues. The study identified various potential sources of exposure, including industrial emissions, informal battery recycling, lead-based paints, contaminated food, spices, and traditional cosmetics.
The study, based on global evidence, sampled 2,100 children residing in high-risk industrial areas such as Haripur, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, and Rawalpindi. Notably, 88% of children tested in Hattar and Haripur exhibited high levels of lead in their blood, with only 1% affected in Islamabad. The burden is significant, with up to 80% of children in Pakistan possibly impacted, representing some of the highest rates globally. The long-term economic losses due to reduced learning ability from lead exposure are estimated at 6-8% of Pakistan’s GDP annually, amounting to $25-35 billion.
Children are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure, being able to absorb up to five times more lead than adults. The impact of lead on developing brains can be severe and lifelong, affecting every system in the body. UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, Pernille Ironside, emphasized that there is no safe level of lead exposure for children, as its harmful effects are irreversible. Plans for a nationally representative survey in 2026 aim to strengthen the evidence base and evaluate lead exposure among children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups.
Abdullah Fadil, Director of Partnership for a Lead-Free Future, highlighted that lead poisoning poses a preventable threat to child health and development. The evidence underscores that lead exposure has enduring consequences on learning and productivity.
