Towards a Global Response to Prevent Lead Poisoning (in English and Spanish): Panel Discussion +Q&A

Lead is one of the oldest, most infamous toxicants. After countries banned lead in gasoline, the world saw significant drops in blood lead levels. However, in the last 10 to 15 years, lead exposures have risen dramatically in low- and middle-income countries. A new report from UNICEF and GAHP member Pure Earth revealed that 1 in 3 children globally – up to 800 million kids – have elevated blood lead levels.

What is driving this increase? The sources might surprise you.

Experts from GAHP, WHO, UNEP, UNICEF, the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency and Clarios discuss the urgent need to respond to the global lead poisoning crisis and what governments, industry, the UN and civil society can and are doing to respond to this urgent crisis.

Presenters:

• Richard Fuller, CEO, Pure Earth/Chairman of the Board, GAHP

• Dr. Maria Neira, Director, Public Health, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, World Health Organization.

• Dr. Monika MacDevette, Chief of Chemicals and Health Branch, UN Environment Program

• Nicholas Rees, Policy Specialist (Climate and Economic Analysis), UNICEF

• Ana Margarita Garza, Director, Public Affairs Latin America, Clarios

• Emmanuel Appoh, Deputy Director, Ghana Environmental Protection Agency