International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2021

Overview

Each year 24 -30 October 2021 is observed as the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. The aim of International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is to draw attention to the health impacts of lead exposure, highlight efforts by countries and partners to prevent childhood lead exposure, and accelerate efforts to phase out the use of lead in paint. Even though there is wide recognition of the harmful effects of lead and many countries have taken action, exposure to lead, particularly in childhood, remains of key concern to healthcare providers and public health officials worldwide.

Objective

• To raise awareness about health effects of lead exposure;
• To highlight the efforts of countries and partners to prevent lead exposure, particularly in children; and
• To urge further action to eliminate lead paint through regulatory action at country level.

International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2021: Working together for a world without lead paint

The Ninth International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW) takes place on 24–30 October 2021. This week of action is an initiative of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (the Lead Paint Alliance), which is jointly led by the UN Environment Programme and WHO. The manufacture and sale of lead paint is still permitted in over 55% of countries, presenting a continuing and future source of lead exposure for children and workers. The focus of this year’s week of action is on the need to accelerate progress towards the global phase out of lead paint through regulatory and legal measures. 

Call for action 

Lead exposure from paint is entirely preventable. Paints for a range of uses can be manufactured without the addition of lead compounds. WHO calls on all countries that have not yet done so to establish the necessary legally binding measures to stop the use of lead in paint.

Source of info: WHO

Recommended readings

• Eighth International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2020
• International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2019
• The International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (22 to 28 October 2017)
• International lead Poisoning Prevention week of action – Ban lead paint !!
• Lead content in paint colour detrimental for health
• The dangers of lead
• Lead exposure affecting schoolchildren’s growth
• Toolkit for establishing laws to eliminate lead paint