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

Key facts

• Lead is a cumulative toxicant that affects multiple body systems and is particularly harmful to young children.
• Lead in the body is distributed to the brain, liver, kidney and bones. It is stored in the teeth and bones, where it accumulates over time. Human exposure is usually assessed through the measurement of lead in blood.
• Lead in bone is released into blood during pregnancy and becomes a source of exposure to the developing fetus.
• There is no level of exposure to lead that is known to be without harmful effects.
• Lead exposure is preventable.

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.

This week of action is an initiative of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (the Lead Paint Alliance), which is jointly led by UNEP and WHO. The primary goal of the Alliance is to promote the global phase-out of lead paint through the establishment of appropriate legally binding measures to stop the manufacture, import, export, distribution, sale and use of lead paints in every country. International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is an opportunity to draw attention to the need for action on lead paint and other sources of lead exposure.

Objectives of International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

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