Join the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint in activities during 25 to 31 October 2015 

Lead poisoning is entirely preventable, yet lead exposure is estimated to account for 0.6% of the global burden of disease, with the highest burden in developing regions. Childhood lead exposure is estimated to contribute to about 600,000 new cases of children with intellectual disabilities every year.

Even though there is wide recognition of this problem and many countries have taken action, exposure to lead, particularly in childhood, remains of key concern to health care providers and public health officials worldwide. One important source of exposure is lead paint. Paints containing high levels of lead are still widely available and used in many countries for decorative purposes, although good substitutes without lead are available.

The International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of action is an annual event that aims to:

• Raise awareness about lead poisoning

• Highlight countries and partners' efforts to prevent childhood lead poisoning; and

• Urge further action to eliminate lead paint

The week of action is an initiative of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint. With the support of partners within the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint, WHO will provide a range of multilingual materials that can be adapted for use in local campaigns. These materials will become available on a dedicated campaign webpage in the summer.

For general information on the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint: www.unep.org/noleadinpaint 

Read about campaign activities in 2014

Register your events for 2015

Campaign flyer