Lead has a huge impact on global health. A recent study, "Structured Expert Judgement Approach of the Health Impact of Various Chemicals and Classes of Chemicals", evaluated the number of deaths worldwide caused by sixteen chemical pollutants, including lead.
Three of the 16 pollutants – asbestos, arsenic, and highly hazardous pesticides – are each responsible for over 100,000 deaths, yearly. But lead is by far the most dangerous. The study estimates that lead causes 1.7 million premature deaths, annually.
The health impacts of these chemicals – illness, death – fall disproportionately on low- and middle- income countries. Lead is especially harmful. High doses lead to disability and death in adults. In children, exposure to the heavy metal causes developmental disorders. Children in lower income households or living in older homes with lead paint and those with parents who work in construction or electronics recycling are most likely to be affected.
Another study, in the Annals of Work Exposures and Health, measured how in-person and take-home lessons on lead exposure prevention improved people’s knowledge of how lead gets into the home, where children can be exposed. The study's authors designed the educational materials to help workers and their families identify strategies to prevent at-home lead exposure. Participants in the study increased their knowledge in lead exposure prevention through these lessons.
In the U.S., OSHA mandates lead safety training for workers exposed to lead above a specific threshold. But there are no training requirements for what happens after the workday is finished. This is when family members are exposed.
Because lead has such an impact on global health, putting more resources into education could also have a big impact by decreasing lead exposure in the home. This means fewer children with cognitive and behavioral issues and fewer deaths for children and adults.
META offers lead and asbestos training. For more information, click here to visit our website, or call us at 785-842-6382.
New Research Finds Lead Has Largest Health Impact Of Top 16 Chemical Pollutants
Study on evaluating impact of education on lead exposure prevention
