In a historic move to protect the health of Ghana’s children, Pure Earth, Blacksmith Initiative, alongside UNICEF and the Ghana Health Service, has signed a Declaration of National Action against Lead Poisoning. This crucial step was announced on 24th August 2023 in Accra, marking the beginning of a concerted effort to tackle the widespread lead exposure that poses significant health risks to the nation’s young population.
Lead, a toxic heavy metal, has been found to cause irreversible harm to children’s development, particularly affecting their intellectual potential and behavior. Even at low concentrations, lead exposure is associated with decreased intelligence, behavioral difficulties, and learning problems in children. Alarmingly, a recent survey conducted across Ghana’s three ecological zones revealed that a staggering 53.5% of children tested had blood lead levels at or above the threshold recommended by the World Health Organization for public health action.
The comprehensive study highlighted various sources of lead exposure, including industrial pollution, consumer products, and traditional practices. Key findings identified household dust, soil, Chilo (a traditional eyeliner), and locally fabricated aluminum cookware as significant sources of contamination. The report particularly emphasized the dangers posed by used lead-acid battery recycling and other lead-related industries, which present a public health emergency requiring immediate action.
Pure Earth team delivered the Declaration of National Action Plan to Hon. Kwaku Agyeman Manu, Minister of Health. 15 Feb. 2024.
The Declaration outlines several urgent recommendations to reduce lead exposure among children:
- Establish a high-level, multi-sector government lead reduction program led by the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health, with support from Pure Earth and UNICEF.
- Conduct a nationally representative lead poisoning prevalence survey among children to identify exposure hotspots.
- Implement systematic surveillance of blood lead levels in high-risk areas to provide necessary exposure reduction and medical treatment.
- Identify, characterize, and prioritize lead-contaminated sites for intervention.
- Eliminate polluting sources of used lead-acid battery recycling, especially in residential areas, and remediate contaminated sites.
- Institute health surveillance measures for individuals working in formal battery recycling factories.
- Urgently review and regulate the permitting conditions for existing and proposed battery recycling industries and halt the activities of informal recyclers.
- Communicate public risks to relevant communities about contamination sources identified in the study.
- Ensure only safe eyeliner products are available to consumers and regulate the toxic metal content in traditional aluminum cookware.
The action plan by Pure Earth and its two partners underscores the commitment to safeguard the health and future of Ghana’s children. By addressing the critical issue of lead poisoning, Pure Earth aims to create a safer environment for the next generation.
Media contact:
Nana Agyei Sikapa Ofosu-Manu
Communications Lead
+233558182560