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Sunday | November 01, 2026 | Dhaka

38.34pc of Bangladesh’s children have high blood lead levels

 Staff Reporter
 Published: 12:02 AM, 01 November 2026

Youth activists and environmental campaigners have called for urgent action to control lead pollution in Bangladesh, warning that more than one-third of the country’s children have blood lead levels above the reference threshold.

They made the demand at a rally and human chain on Manik Miah Avenue in Dhaka on Saturday, marking International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2026.

The programme was jointly organised by Volunteer for Bangladesh (VBD), Dhaka District South, YouthNet Global and Pure Earth Bangladesh.

Local representatives, civil society members, young environmental activists, journalists and volunteers joined the event.

They called for stronger enforcement of environmental laws, safer recycling of used lead-acid batteries and better protection for children and communities exposed to toxic substances.

According to a national survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), 38.34 per cent of children in Bangladesh have blood lead levels above the reference threshold. The organisers also said around 7.5 per cent of pregnant women were affected by lead exposure.

Health experts warn that no level of lead exposure is considered safe, particularly for children. Exposure to the toxic metal can harm brain development and affect learning, memory, concentration and behaviour.

Long-term exposure can also increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, kidney damage and other health problems among adults.

Unsafe recycling of used lead-acid batteries is one of the major sources of lead contamination in Bangladesh. Lead-containing paints, toys, cookware and cosmetics are also potential sources of exposure.

Speaking at the programme, Pure Earth Bangladesh Country Director Mitali Das said protecting children from lead poisoning required coordinated efforts to identify contamination sources, control pollution, ensure safer consumer products and promote environmentally sound battery recycling.