The government has set a goal of cutting the rate of high blood lead levels among children by 95 per cent by 2035. The national strategy approved by the cabinet on 17 August also sets an interim target of a 50 per cent cut by 2030.
Speaking at a seminar in Dhaka on Wednesday titled 'Advancing to a Lead-Free Bangladesh: Scaling Solutions, Driving Youth Action', Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo said the 2026-2035 strategy needs funding, capable institutions and measurable results, with steady investment in laboratories, monitoring, clean-up of contaminated sites and public health. The ministry, the Department of Environment and Pure Earth Bangladesh organised the event.
Mitali Das, country director of Pure Earth Bangladesh, said health damage from lead exposure cost Bangladesh an estimated $28.6 billion in 2019, equal to 6 to 9 per cent of GDP. The organisation is helping draft extended producer responsibility (EPR) guidance for the safe collection and recycling of lead-acid batteries.
Muhammad Solaiman Haider, additional director general of the Department of Environment, said standard procedures are being prepared for inspecting and controlling pollution in the battery industry, and a technical team has been formed to set acceptable lead levels in soil. Professor Kazi Ahmed Zaki, director of the IEDCR, said lead can harm the body before symptoms appear, so detection and prevention must be strengthened.
Preliminary results from Pure Earth's work at SSR School in Labanchora, Khulna, showed the median blood lead level of 111 people tested before and after fell by 17.5 per cent, from 5.32 to 4.39 micrograms per decilitre. The organisation also gave the Department of Environment two portable X-ray fluorescence analysers that can quickly measure lead and other heavy metals on hard surfaces.
A National Youth Alliance for a Lead-Free Bangladesh was launched at the event, attended by more than a hundred representatives of government, development partners, academia, civil society, business and the media.
Reported by Prothom Alo's staff correspondent.
Source: Prothom Alo
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