International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2018

From 21 to 27 October 2018, the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week will provide an opportunity for organizations and institutions around the world to focus attention on lead. ILPPW takes place every year. The theme of this year's week of action is the need for individuals, civil society organizations, industry and governments to work together to ban lead paint.

Starting in 2013, government institutions, health service providers, civil society organizations and international organizations have carried out a wide range of activities and events to inform the public, health professionals and policy makers about the health hazards of lead, and to urge action to prevent lead exposure. Last year, 67 events in 44 countries from regions across the globe were registered on the WHO website. You can read about some of the activities that took place in the 2017 report.

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.

You can 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 #ILPPW2018   #BanLeadPaint