Moldova attends International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

Chisinau, 23 October /MOLDPRES/- Moldova along with dozens of countries in the world participates in the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week on 22-28 October. The slogan of this year’s event is “Estimating lead content in environmental factors and human body”, focusing on banning lead in paint.

Exposure to lead is about 9 per cent of the global burden of intellectual disability without a known cause, 4 per cent of global burden of ischemic heart disease and 6.6 per cent of global stroke burden. According to the National Centre for Public Health, a comprehensive study is currently being carried out in Moldova to assess the exposure of the population to lead, being used as a biomarker blood. Preliminary results show an average lead content of 0.2 units, which is not increased, but confirms the need to study and prevent the lead exposure factor, degrading to human health.

“The naturally toxic lead is found in the earth’s crust. Important sources of environmental contamination by industrial use of lead are mining, metal smelting, production activities, recycling, use of lead paint, gasoline and lead aviation fuel to a higher octane number. Other products like, pigments, paints, stained glass, glassware, crystal, ceramic glazes, jewellery, ammunition, some cosmetics and traditional medicines and even toys contain lead. Also, the drinking water delivered through the metal alloy pipes may contain lead”, sources in CNSP read.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has ranked lead exposure as one of the top ten global threats to the environment. The WHO is currently developing guides on prevention and management of lead poisoning, which will help authorities and public health professionals to take measures to protect the health of children and adults by reducing exposure to lead. In this respect, it is welcome the initiative by the central public authorities to ban the production, import and/or distribution of paint containing the lead compounds. According to WHO data, in 2016 governments of 62 states set measures to remove lead paint.

The Moldovan parliament has also adopted a law establishing bans and restrictions on the production, import, placing on the market and using hazardous chemicals, including lead in paints, fuels and other products.

(Reporter L. Grubîi, editor L. Alcază)