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Lead poisoning affects 1 in 3 children worldwide
Lead exposure damages health and impairs intellectual development, diminishing individual potential and perpetuating global inequality. The Global Burden of Disease estimates that lead exposure causes more deaths each year than malaria and HIV/AIDS combined.
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Lead poisoning cannot be eliminated until its sources are known
Despite the profound health impacts of lead poisoning, knowledge of its causes is limited. While we know some of the likely culprits, the list is long–metal cookware, cosmetics, spices, toys, paint, and more–and it is not clear which sources are responsible for the majority of exposure in most countries.
Lead exposure causes between 1.5 and 5.5 million deaths each year due to increased risk of cardiovascular and kidney disease.
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Lead exposure is associated with an average IQ loss of up to six points, resulting in a 4% reduction in lifetime earnings.
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Lead exposure is responsible for reductions in educational attainment accounting for up to one-fifth of the learning gap between high- and low-income countries.
Lead Research for Action (LeRA) conducts research to characterize major sources of and solutions to childhood lead exposure in low- and middle-income countries.
We then work with government partners and other NGOs to translate our research into regulation, reformulation, or other lead exposure mitigation strategies.
With your help, we can reduce the risk of lead exposure for millions of children.
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