Pure Earth is proud to be one of the implementing partners working with Bloomberg Philanthropies on a transformative new initiative to combat lead poisoning worldwide. The Bloomberg Philanthropies Lead Poisoning Prevention Initiative will tackle lead exposure—one of the most pervasive and preventable environmental health threats—across three core strategies:
- Passing and enforcing policies to strengthen regulation
- Identifying and removing lead sources
- Improving blood lead testing and data collection
A Global Crisis That Demands Action
Lead poisoning is an overlooked global health crisis affecting an estimated 815 million children—roughly 1 in 3—and causing at least 1.5 million cardiovascular disease deaths annually. The majority of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where toxic lead exposure persists in everyday life. From contaminated spices, cosmetics and cookware to unsafe battery recycling and lead-based paint, the sources of exposure are varied but solvable.
Pure Earth’s Role in This Groundbreaking Initiative
Bloomberg Philanthropies is supporting lead poisoning prevention efforts in some of the highest-need countries in Asia, Africa, and South America. Pure Earth will be assisting governments in developing institutional capacity, programs, and policies to effectively and sustainably assess and mitigate lead exposure.
“We are honored to partner with Bloomberg Philanthropies on this critical initiative to confront lead poisoning,” said Drew McCartor, President of Pure Earth. “This initiative is truly a leap forward for this long-overlooked, yet entirely solvable global challenge.”
As an implementing organization, Pure Earth will work with governments and partners to:
- Collaborate on the establishment of Lead Technical Working Groups and formal government partnerships to create lead-specific national roadmaps and Action Plans;
- Conduct source assessments to identify the main sources of lead exposure in different contexts including
- Market assessments for consumer goods with high lead concentrations
- Contaminated site identification and assessment
- Home-based assessments of lead-containing goods and environmental media in households with children showing elevated blood lead levels;
- Prioritize and support risk mitigation efforts in collaboration with governments and partners, including the remediation of high-risk contaminated sites, regulatory actions on contaminated consumer products, and policy recommendations for safer industrial practices;
- Train government personnel to build local capacity for lead surveillance, testing, and risk mitigation, ensuring long-term sustainability.
A Milestone Moment for Global Public Health
Bloomberg Philanthropies Lead Poisoning Prevention Initiative represents a major investment in the future of children and communities worldwide. By leveraging their expertise in policy reform and data-driven solutions, their leadership will catalyze broader governmental, institutional and philanthropic action, ensuring that the fight against lead poisoning gains the attention and resources it deserves.
Together, by addressing the root causes of lead exposure, we can prevent lifelong health issues such as cardiovascular disease, protect children’s cognitive development, and improve economic prospects for millions.
To learn more about the Bloomberg Philanthropies Lead Poisoning Prevention Initiative, visit https://www.bloomberg.org/public-health/reducing-lead-poisoning/.
