International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week marked in Moldova

Chisinau, Oct. 24 /MOLDPRES/- On 23-29 October 2022, the Republic of Moldova will host the 10th edition of the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.

According to the National Agency for Public Health (ANSP), during the period several actions will be organized for information and awareness of people on the risks of exposure to lead compounds and ways to minimize them.

In this context, the ANSP specialists reiterate that lead is an element with toxic properties, included by the WHO in the list of ten chemical substances of major risk to public health, at the moment a harmless exposure dose for human health has not been established.

According to data from the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), one in three children has a blood lead concentration above the limit of acceptable values, which denotes the seriousness of this major public health problem, as exposure to lead has a large impact more pronounced in the case of children. Adverse effects on neurocognitive or behavioral development are demonstrated, including affecting the central nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, reproductive, hematological, renal and immunological systems.

ANSP data show that in 2016-2021, 92 cases of acute poisoning with paint fumes were registered in the Republic of Moldova, of which 19 cases were among children.

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