Although very useful in the industrial sector, lead as a heavy metal poses a serious threat to human health and the environment due to its extreme toxicity – any exposure carries a risk. According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), lead is associated with serious health problems, including more than 1.5 million deaths annually, and can also cause developmental disorders in children. When it comes to the environment, lead pollutes the air, water and soil, thereby endangering biodiversity and indirectly affecting human health.
An additional problem is the widespread use of lead. UNEP has shown concrete examples where lead is often used, but also how its presence can be reduced.
It is added to colors to make them more intense and resistant to moisture. Lead is often used in playgrounds and toys, making it especially dangerous for children. However, today more than 40 countries have legal controls over such paints. UNEP, in cooperation with partners, has developed model laws and guidelines to help countries regulate lead paints. The Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint, which brings together governments, academia, non-governmental organizations and paint manufacturers, aims to increase the number of such laws globally.
The battery industry uses lead to the greatest extent. Moreover, with the development of renewable energy sources and the accompanying infrastructure, the need for batteries grows, but so does the risk of improper management. As a solution, the need for stricter safety regulations and increased investments in appropriate equipment and facilities is emphasized.
Aluminum dishes can be particularly dangerous, because lead from them can penetrate into food and enter the body, where it accumulates in bones and teeth. Children are especially at risk because they can absorb more lead than adults. As a solution, it is recommended to use cookware made of alternative materials, such as stainless steel, or to implement stricter controls during the production of cookware containing aluminum.
Lead can also be added to spices such as turmeric and calendula, for more intense colors and greater economic value. Although some countries have reduced lead use thanks to awareness campaigns, enforcement remains a challenge. The Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization provide guidelines for reducing lead in food, and governments can use this knowledge to inform and strengthen lead surveillance networks and national policies. Additionally, they can work with health agencies and invest in more frequent blood testing to identify trends and limit exposure.
Significantly reducing the toxic consequences of this heavy metal can be influenced by renewed cooperation between governments and the private sector, which is aimed at strengthening policies and finding alternatives without lead. UNEP leads a very important initiative – Partnership for a Lead-Free Future, which aims to end lead poisoning in children by 2040.
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Source: energetskiportal.rs
