Dangers of lead poisoning highlighted in International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

Kathmandu, Bagmati province -The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) and WHO Country Office for Nepal organized a national workshop under International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2024. The event, technically supported by Center for Public Health and Environmental Development (CEPHED), focused on addressing lead exposure in Nepal, with over 75 participants from various sectors, including nongovernmental organizations, health, environment, trade unions, paint industry, academia and media. Key discussions included an overview of lead poisoning, effective implementation of lead paint standards to reduce health hazards, dissemination of compliance monitoring results at national and provincial levels and strengthening of engagement of various stakeholders to eliminate lead exposure. WHO will continue to enhance collaborative efforts to ensure the implementation of lead paint standards and advocate for the reduction of lead exposure across various sectors. The next stakeholder workshop will be held next week in Biratnagar, Koshi province, engaging local governments and industries to advocate for implementation of lead paint standards.