Lead poisoning affecting 815 million children worldwide, new report shows

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe economic cost of lead poisoning is estimated at a staggering $6 trillion annually (AFP/Getty)The global fight against lead poisoning is gaining significant momentum, despite the World Health Organisation estimating it causes 3.5 million cardiovascular deaths annually and affects 815 million children worldwide. Delegates at the Second Annual Research Conference on Global Lead Exposure heard about major new initiatives, including those from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Asian Development Bank. New research presented at the conference highlighted high lead content in various consumer products, such as traditional eyeliners in Pakistan and India, and foodstuffs in Malawi and Ghana. The economic cost of lead poisoning is estimated at a staggering $6 trillion (£4.5 trillion) annually, equivalent to seven per cent of the global economy. Kenyan activist Phyllis Omido, known as the 'Erin Brockovich of East Africa,' shared her experience of campaigning for a community poisoned by lead, emphasising the human toll and the need for a clean environment for all. In fullInside the fight against the global $6 trillion lead poisoning problemThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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