International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2019

From 20 to 26 October 2019 the international lead poisoning prevention week of action tool place, with a particular focus on eliminating lead paint. Lead poisoning is preventable, yet the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation has estimated that in 2017 lead exposure accounted for 1.06 million deaths and 24.4 million years lost to disability and death due to long-term effects on health, with the highest burden in developing regions. Of particular concern is the role of lead exposure in the development of intellectual disability in children. 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.

Report of the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2019

The objectives

During the campaign week, the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint aims to:

• Raise awareness about health effects of lead poisoning;
• Highlight countries and partners' efforts to prevent particularly childhood lead poisoning; and
• Urge further action to eliminate lead paint through regulatory action at country level.

In past years, campaign organizers have shown great creativity in spreading their messages during ILPPW. Examples have included:

• School Activities: dramas, dances, art or slogan competitions; school teaching sessions on lead;
• Industry Involvement: donations of lead-safe paint; the launch of reports on the lead content of paint in local shops;
• Policy Engagement: marches demanding action on lead paint; meetings with policy makers; blood lead testing for children; scientific meetings; and
• Awareness Raising: television broadcasts; newspaper articles; information stands in public areas such as shopping centres, and social media campaigns.

Take Action!

Every year the Lead Paint Alliance provides resources to help campaigners plan events during ILPPW, including a campaign resource package, customizable posters, a fact-sheet, infographics, campaign icons, video messages, and sample social media messages. All materials are available in English, and most are also available in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish.

Find out what others are doing and use materials for your own events through the WHO campaign webpage

If you are planning a campaign, please share information by registering your event on the WHO webpage

Follow the campaign on twitter #ILPPW2019   #BanLeadPaint