Pure Earth is a leading
global non-profit focused on
pollution issues in low-and
middle-income countries.

Our current focus is on lead and mercury.

One-third of all children are lead-poisoned, resulting in enormous global losses of intelligence - and other problems. But there are solutions.

...and we can fix this problem, at scale.

Pure Earth Receives Major Donation to Help Five Countries Protect Children from Lead Poisoning

With support from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Pure Earth will strengthen expertise in national healthcare systems to prevent, identify, and treat lead poisoning in 5 priority countries.

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What We Do

We prioritize actions to protect the developing brains and bodies of children and pregnant women. We work to stop the multigenerational cycle of poisoning that is endemic in low and middle-income countries.

Lead and mercury are two of the most prevalent pollutants in low and middle-income countries. There is widespread use of, and exposure to, dangerous forms of lead and mercury. Global Burden of Disease data indicate lead and mercury exposure pose a greater risk than all other Top Ten Chemicals of Concern identified by WHO.

Lead

More than 800 million children globally have a concentration of lead in their blood above 5 micrograms per deciliter – resulting in permanent brain damage and the loss of 3 to 5 IQ points. Childhood lead exposure is estimated to cost lower- and middle-income countries almost USD $1 trillion due to the lost economic potential of these children over their lifetime.

Learn what we are doing and how to get involved.

Mercury

Mercury wreaks similar damage on mothers and infants. It crosses the placenta, poisoning the fetus. Mercury is highly mobile in the environment; it bioaccumulates and transforms in aquatic environments into highly toxic methyl-mercury. This is why pregnant women are advised to limit intake of certain types of fish.

Learn what we are doing and how to get involved

For over 20 years, our teams around the globe have been working to achieve a world where all, especially children, are able to live healthy lives and reach their full potential, free from exposure to toxic pollution.

What's New

Download the Report

How Effective Altruism Is Helping Pure Earth Solve The Lead Poisoning Crisis

Join Us for the Pure Earth Benefit Bash- October 17, 2022

We believe the pollution crisis can be solved

In a world where pollution doesn’t stop at borders and we benefit from an interconnected global economy,
we all have a responsibility to be part of the solution.
Join us.

Together we can solve pollution, save lives, and protect the planet.

90% of children with high blood lead
levels are in low-
and middle-income
countries.

Clean up local environments

Improve local
industrial practices

PURE EARTH partners with governments, communities and industry leaders to identify and implement solutions that stop toxic exposures, protect health, and restore environments.

All Completed In Progress TSIP Global Lead Program Global Mercury Program

Project	Country	Date	Region
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Understanding Our Impact

Toxic Site Identification Program

Reducing the Threat of Toxic Chemical Pollution

Pure Earth trained investigators have assessed 5,000+ toxic sites in 50 countries. TSIP is the largest global database of sites contaminated with toxic chemicals. The program provides governments with information on the sources and potential impacts of severely polluted sites to facilitate the prioritization of pollution control and remediation efforts.

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Taking Action - Protecting Health

Cleanups and Interventions

Our teams have completed 120+ environmental and health interventions in 24 countries, improving the lives of almost 5 million people. Project solutions range from small-scale containment and community awareness, to complex multi-modal interventions.

Global network of pollution fighters

Training Environmental and Health Investigators

Pure Earth has trained and supported a network of 500 environmental health and pollution remediation professionals in 50 mid- and low-income countries. Many more interdisciplinary advocates, professionals, researchers and policy/regulatory specialists need to be trained and activated in affected countries.

Seminal research on pollution and health

Elevating pollution in the global public health agenda

Pure Earth co-led The Lancet Commission on pollution and health. The report garnered 3,000 media stories and has been cited in over 900 other research papers to date. Our report, co-published with UNICEF, The Toxic Truth, was also widely covered around the globe, igniting commitments to address the global lead poisoning crisis.