WHO Reveals Illegal Exposure Including Health Threats, Causes 1.5 Million Deaths Every Year

Illustration of paint equipment (image: Pexels/Ivan Samkov)

JAKARTA - Lead exposure to this day remains one of the widest health threats in the world. This affects the health of millions of people, especially in children.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that lead exposure has brought 1.5 million deaths each year. This is because lead exposure causes cardiovascular disease, and causes neurological damage and irreversible behavior, especially in children.

Small children can absorb lead significantly more than adults. This can cause a decrease in IQ, difficulty learning, and behavioral problems. Not only that, lead exposure can also endanger pregnant women and developing fetuses.

Please note that there is no safe level of lead exposure. Therefore, this lead explanation must be destroyed so that world public health is maintained, especially children.

"There is no safe level of lead. Every child has the right to a future free from this poison," said Director of the Department of Environment, WHO Climate Change, Dr. Ruediger Krech.

Timbal is present in many materials used in everyday life. Starting from paint, battery, cosmetics, even spices. Timbal can also contaminate air, water, soil, which results in continuous exposure to people around the world.

Progress to overcome lead exposure has been made, with lead laran in gasoline and efforts by many countries to limit lead in paint.

However, WHO insists that the action is not enough. A comprehensive ban on lead-based production, imports, sales and use of lead paint must be implemented and enforced, to prevent high exposure.

"This week, we ask the government, society and health service providers to act decisively to eliminate lead exposure and protect health, and potential for the next generation," concluded Krech.