Main Findings:
- Lead pollution is an urgent and overlooked development challenge. Although leaded gasoline has been phased out globally, millions of people — particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) — are still exposed to lead pollution from multiple sources.
- Lead is found everywhere — from factories to mines, spices to teas, paints, water pipes, cosmetics and toys, affecting everyday lives.
- The recycling of used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) is the largest source of pollution today, accounting for about 86% of all lead mined or recycled.
- There is no safe level of lead exposure. Lead harms nearly every organ system, and even low exposure levels can cause irreversible health and economic consequences.
- Children: Exposure leads to impaired neurological development, IQ loss and is linked to learning disabilities, behavioral problems, increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), stunting, and other developmental and health issues. Prenatal exposure exacerbates these risks and leads to low birth weight, preterm birth, impaired cognitive development, and anemia.
- In 2019, lead exposure caused an estimated 765 million IQ points lost globally, 95% in LMICs, resulting in $1.4 trillion in lost lifetime income (1.6% of global GDP; up to 8.3% in low-income countries).
- Adults: Exposure increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, stroke, kidney and liver damage, and premature death. Chronic high-level exposure can cause kidney and liver damage, as well as memory loss. Additionally, lead affects the reproductive systems of both females and males.
- In 2019, lead exposure contributed to 5.5 million adult deaths from CVD—representing 15%–44% of all CVD deaths in LMICs.
- The welfare cost of adult mortality was estimated at $1.9–6 trillion, equivalent to 2.2%–6.9% of global GDP.
- The burden is disproportionately borne by vulnerable populations—pregnant women, infants, children, and the poor—especially in LMICs.
- Children: Exposure leads to impaired neurological development, IQ loss and is linked to learning disabilities, behavioral problems, increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), stunting, and other developmental and health issues. Prenatal exposure exacerbates these risks and leads to low birth weight, preterm birth, impaired cognitive development, and anemia.
- This crisis is solvable. A multipronged approach is needed, combining strategic investments and policy reforms to protect those at risk and eliminate lead from the environment. Strategic actions include:
- Investing in the remediation and cleanup of contaminated sites.
- Reforming policies to prevent and remediate lead contamination and exposure.
- Building institutional capacity for prevention and enforcement.
- Many interventions offer high returns with relatively modest investments, significantly reducing blood lead levels, lowering cardiovascular mortality, and increasing lifetime earnings.
- The cost of inaction far outweighs the cost of solutions. Lead exposure imposes a trillion-dollar annual burden on the global economy. Addressing this is both a public health imperative and an economic opportunity.
- A lead-free world is achievable. With strong political commitment, partnerships, and decisive action, the world can eliminate lead pollution. The World Bank is committed to working with countries and development partners to address this crisis at scale—protecting health, unlocking economic growth, and creating a livable planet.
Preview the non-technical executive summary here. The full report is avaliable here.
Check out the infographic with the estimated health and economic cost of global lead pollution here.