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The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for decisive action to eliminate lead at its sources, warning that no level of lead exposure is known to be safe. Its priorities are comprehensive, enforced bans on lead-based paint; tighter controls on mining, manufacturing and recycling; stronger testing and poison-prevention services; and rapid investigation when exposure is suspected.
Why WHO is escalating the warning
Lead poisoning remains preventable but widespread. WHO’s 2025 campaign theme was “No safe level: act now to end lead exposure,” and campaign material reported that only half of countries had banned lead paint at the time of publication. Dr Ruediger Krech, WHO Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change, One Health and Migration a.i., said: “No level of lead is safe. Every child deserves a future free from this poison.”
The scale of harm is substantial, although published estimates use different years and methods. WHO, citing the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), reported approximately 1.5 million deaths attributable to lead exposure in 2021, primarily from cardiovascular effects. A separate WHO fact sheet citing IHME’s 2023 estimate reported more than 3.5 million deaths and more than 71.5 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), again mainly cardiovascular. These figures should not be treated as a year-by-year trend because they come from different estimation years.
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Children and developing brains
Young children absorb lead more readily and are especially vulnerable while the brain and nervous system are developing. Exposure can reduce IQ and contribute to learning difficulties, behavioural problems and potentially permanent impairment. WHO says no safe blood-lead concentration has been established. Its current fact sheet notes that concentrations as low as 3.5 micrograms per decilitre (µg/dL) may be associated with lower intelligence, behavioural difficulties and learning problems in children.
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Adults, pregnancy and other organs
Lead can damage cardiovascular, renal (kidney), gastrointestinal, blood-forming and reproductive systems in adults and children. During pregnancy, exposure can reduce fetal growth and contribute to preterm birth. Workers in industries that handle lead may face repeated occupational exposure, while families can be exposed when contaminated dust or clothing is brought home.
Where exposure comes from
WHO identifies a broad range of possible sources:
- Lead-based paint and dust released when painted surfaces deteriorate or are sanded, scraped or renovated.
- Lead-acid batteries, pigments, solder, ceramics and ammunition.
- Some toys, jewellery, cosmetics and traditional medicines.
- Contaminated soil and drinking water.
- Mining, smelting, manufacturing, waste processing and informal recycling.
The most likely source depends on local industry, products, building age and consumer practices. A household should not assume that a newer-looking or imported item is lead-free without reliable product information.
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What governments should do
Eliminate lead paint
WHO urges governments to adopt and enforce comprehensive bans covering the production, import, sale and use of lead-based paints. A ban is more effective when it includes clear legal limits, laboratory-backed compliance testing, penalties and market surveillance rather than relying only on voluntary labels.
Control industrial and recycling releases
Regulators should require controls for mining, smelting, manufacturing and battery recycling, prevent releases to air, soil and water, and ensure safe collection, treatment and disposal of lead-containing waste. Worker-protection rules and measures that keep contaminated dust out of homes are part of source control.
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Build public-health capacity
WHO highlights poison-centre capacity, technical guidance, surveillance and country-level implementation. That infrastructure allows authorities to identify hotspots, advise clinicians, respond to incidents and measure whether controls are working.
What health professionals and families can do
When exposure is suspected
- Tell a clinician about renovation, occupational work, battery handling, shooting, imported products, traditional medicines and possible contaminated soil or water.
- Ask whether a blood-lead concentration test and other investigations are appropriate. Symptoms alone cannot reliably rule exposure in or out.
- If an individual blood-lead concentration is at least 5 µg/dL, WHO’s Q&A advises identifying the source and taking action to reduce and terminate exposure.
- Follow public-health or qualified professional advice on cleaning, medical follow-up and source removal, particularly for children and pregnant people.
Reduce household risk now
- Do not sand, scrape or otherwise disturb suspect paint without professional lead-safe controls.
- Learn about likely local sources and ask vendors or manufacturers for lead-content information before buying products that may contain pigments, coatings or metal components.
- Use good hygiene to limit dust transfer: wash hands before eating, keep work clothing separate and prevent children from accessing contaminated soil or materials.
- Contact local public-health authorities or a qualified lead-abatement professional when paint, soil, water or a workplace is suspected.
Testing: screening is not a diagnosis
A lead-paint screening kit can indicate that a painted surface may contain lead, but it cannot diagnose poisoning, establish a blood concentration or replace professional assessment. A clinical blood test is the relevant test for an individual’s exposure; environmental sampling by an accredited laboratory or qualified professional may be needed to locate and characterize a source. The choice between household screening and professional testing depends on the suspected source, the age of occupants, renovation plans and local regulations.
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How to judge proposed solutions
| Response | What it can do | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Source elimination | Removes or controls the hazard through paint bans, industrial controls, safe recycling and disposal. | Requires regulation, enforcement, funding and sustained monitoring. |
| Temporary exposure reduction | Limits contact while a source is investigated, such as avoiding damaged paint or contaminated soil. | Does not make the source safe or remove accumulated contamination. |
| Household paint screening | Provides an initial indication that a surface may contain lead. | Not a medical diagnosis and may require professional confirmation. |
| Accredited environmental or clinical testing | Measures exposure or characterizes a suspected source for informed action. | Availability and interpretation depend on local services and qualified personnel. |
Why “no safe level” changes the response
The absence of a known safe blood-lead concentration means prevention should not wait for obvious symptoms or a high test result. Children can experience developmental harm at relatively low measured concentrations, while adults may accumulate cardiovascular, kidney and reproductive risks. WHO’s message is therefore focused on eliminating lead from products and processes, not simply managing illness after exposure has occurred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is any blood-lead level considered safe?
WHO says no safe blood-lead concentration is known. Its fact sheet notes that levels as low as 3.5 µg/dL may be associated with decreased intelligence, behavioural difficulties and learning problems in children.
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Can a home lead-paint kit tell me whether someone is poisoned?
No. A kit can screen a surface for a possible source, but only clinical evaluation and blood testing can assess an individual’s lead exposure.
What should happen after a blood-lead result of 5 µg/dL or higher?
WHO advises identifying the source and taking action to reduce and terminate exposure, with clinical and public-health guidance tailored to the person and setting.
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