Bangladesh, International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW) 2024, Bright Futures Begin Lead-Free ESDO, UNICEF lead youth rally demanding ban on lead products

Published : 19 Oct 2024 08:31 PM

The Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) and UNICEF Bangladesh led over hundreds young people in Dhaka to demand an immediate ban on lead products across the country. The rally, part of the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW) 2024, centered around the theme "Bright Futures Begin Lead-Free."

Participants marched from the Bangladesh National Museum to the National Shaheed Minar, with stops at TSC, University of Dhaka, urging the government to take urgent action against lead in products. Rahim Ahmed, one of the participants, voiced concern: "We deserve to grow up healthy and safe. Lead must be banned from all products."

ESDO’s continuous advocacy since 2010 led to the restriction of lead in household paints to 90 parts per million (ppm). However, industrial paints remain unregulated, and lead is still found in batteries, toys, and spices. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lead exposure causes approximately 1 million deaths annually, with children being the most affected. WHO’s surveys show that even minimal lead exposure can cause permanent brain damage, leading to learning disabilities and behavioral issues.

Public health experts insist that no level of lead exposure is safe, and the youth at the rally demanded stricter regulations to protect children. As the rally concluded at the National Shaheed Minar, the message was clear: Bangladesh must act now to eliminate lead from all products and safeguard its children’s future.

https://bangladeshpost.net/posts/esdo-unicef-lead-youth-rally-demanding-ban-on-lead-products-147872