Despite decades of regulation, low-level lead exposure continues to harm children’s cognitive abilities globally and is linked to millions of cardiovascular-related deaths each year.
Zack Budryk reports for The Hill.
In short:
- A new study shows lead exposure is tied to the loss of 765 million IQ points among children worldwide each year.
- Lead poisoning also contributes to 5.5 million cardiovascular deaths annually and is associated with chronic kidney disease and hypertension in adults.
- The Biden administration has recently reinforced efforts to remove lead from water systems and establish stricter standards for lead dust in buildings.
Key quote:
“One in three children worldwide — more than 600 million children — have lead poisoning.”
— Ana Navas-Acien, chair of environmental health sciences, Columbia University
Why this matters:
Lead exposure disproportionately impacts children, impairing development and reducing potential across generations. The study highlights urgent global health needs as lead poisoning continues to persist in communities worldwide, especially in industrializing nations where lead-related health issues are rising.
Learn more: Global focus shifts to combating lead poisoning in children
About the author(s):
Articles curated and summarized by the Environmental Health News' curation team. Some AI-based tools helped produce this text, with human oversight, fact checking and editing.
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