Karachi: Journalists were urged to shine a spotlight on Pakistan’s largely invisible childhood lead poisoning crisis at a media workshop held in Karachi on Monday, where researchers, government officials and UNICEF warned that millions of children remain at risk of exposure to a toxic metal that permanently damages brain development, reduces learning ability and diminishes future economic potential.
The workshop, organised by the Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP) in collaboration with UNICEF Pakistan and Commsman Consultants at the Karachi Press Club, brought together more than 30 health and environment journalists alongside leading researchers, policymakers and regulators to discuss the latest evidence on childhood lead exposure, the major sources of contamination in Pakistan and the critical role of the media in informing the public about one of the country’s most significant and least recognised environmental health challenges.
Opening the workshop, Asad Pabani, Program Manager at LEEP Pakistan, highlighted the global burden of childhood lead exposure and introduced LEEP’s mission to eliminate lead poisoning from consumer products. He explained that LEEP works in more than 40 countries, partnering with governments, researchers, civil society and manufacturers to identify major sources of lead exposure, strengthen regulations, support industry reformulation and protect children from the lifelong harms of lead poisoning.
Presenting the scientific evidence, Professor Dr. Zafar Fatmi of Aga Khan University described childhood lead poisoning as a silent public health crisis because most affected children show no obvious symptoms despite suffering irreversible neurological damage.
He explained that there is no safe level of lead exposure and that children can be exposed through deteriorating household lead paint, lead-adulterated spices, traditional cosmetics such as surma, and informal lead-acid battery recycling. Because the effects often remain invisible until it is too late, he stressed that preventing exposure must be the priority.
Dr. Humaira Irshad, Health Officer at UNICEF Pakistan, presented findings from the Pakistan Childhood Lead Exposure Survey, which screened 2,175 children aged 12–36 months across seven high-risk cities. The study found that approximately one in four children had elevated blood lead levels, while Karachi recorded one of the highest prevalence rates, with around 39 percent of children in surveyed high-risk communities having elevated blood lead levels.
She emphasised that the survey was conducted in selected high-risk urban communities and was not nationally representative, underscoring the need for a nationwide survey to determine the true scale of childhood lead exposure across Pakistan.
Abid Hasan, Country Head of LEEP Pakistan, explained that LEEP Pakistan is currently working to eliminate lead exposure from three priority sources: decorative paints, traditional eyeliners (surma/kajal) and lead-adulterated turmeric. He highlighted that PSQCA has already established a mandatory limit of 90 ppm for decorative paints and 5 ppm for turmeric, while the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) is working towards introducing a national standard for lead in surma.
He also noted the significant progress already achieved through collaboration with government agencies. Sustained action by the Sindh Food Authority (SFA) has significantly reduced lead-adulterated turmeric in markets while regulatory efforts led by PSQCA have contributed to major progress in reducing lead in decorative paints.
Abid Hasan urged journalists to play a leading role in raising awareness about preventable sources of lead exposure and supporting informed public discussion that encourages stronger policy action. He said that LEEP we must support industry in transitioning to lead free production to ensure a lead free future for generations to come. He also said that Pakistan had signed the partnership for a lead free future in December 2025.
Government representatives highlighted progress already underway while acknowledging that important challenges remain.
Imran Sabir, Regional Director of the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), outlined ongoing efforts to address environmental sources of lead contamination, including enforcement against illegal lead-acid battery recycling operations. He noted that operators often relocate following enforcement action, making continued vigilance and public reporting essential. He also emphasised the importance of stronger enforcement and cross-government collaboration to tackle environmental lead exposure.
Dr. Ahmed Ali Shaikh, Director Technical at the Sindh Food Authority (SFA), shared Sindh’s experience in reducing lead-adulterated turmeric through sustained market inspections, laboratory testing, trader engagement and public awareness campaigns. He noted that when the initiative began, a very large number of turmeric samples contained lead chromate in Sindh, but sustained regulatory action by Sindh Food Authority had reduced contamination significantly, demonstrating that practical government-led interventions can substantially reduce exposure to hazardous consumer products.
The workshop concluded with a session by senior health and environment journalist M. Waqar Bhatti, who encouraged journalists to investigate environmental pollution, unsafe industrial practices, contaminated consumer products and regulatory enforcement.
He stressed that accurate, evidence-based reporting can play a vital role in increasing public awareness, supporting stronger policies and protecting children from one of Pakistan’s most preventable environmental health threats.
Throughout the workshop, participants emphasised that journalists have a vital role in translating scientific evidence into accessible public information, raising awareness of common sources of lead exposure and sustaining public attention on one of Pakistan’s most preventable environmental health challenges.
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