The Progress and Policy Colloquia on Addressing Lead Poisoning in South Asian Countries
New Delhi, June 25, 2024 - The Advanced Study Institute of Asia (ASIA) at SGT University, in collaboration with the Young Scholars Initiative (YSI) of the Institute of New Economic Thinking (INET), hosted a two-part colloquia on June 25, 2024 to tackle the pressing issue of lead poisoning in South Asia.
"Progress and Policy" colloquia focused on understanding the extent and impact of lead poisoning in the region, as well as potential policy interventions to address and prevent the issue. The discussions highlighted the need for comprehensive strategies, including strengthening regulations, improving public awareness, and enhancing epidemiological research, to effectively tackle this public health challenge.
"Even low-level lead exposure can significantly and irreversibly impact cognitive development and health outcomes, underscoring the critical need to reduce lead exposure from all sources, especially during pregnancy," emphasized Professor Howard Hu, a leading expert on lead toxicity.
“Lead exposure causes 80% higher IQ losses in children than previously estimated. It is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease mortality, with the estimated economic cost of IQ losses and cardiovascular disease mortality from lead exposure in 2019 being $10 trillion, equivalent to 7.8% of global GDP was eye opening” presented by Bjorn Larsen's a development economist from the USA, Norway, and Laos.
The colloquia also unveiled an initial working document titled "No Safe Blood Lead Levels: Understanding Thresholds, Compliance, and Legal Consequences" by ASIA, which is being further developed with expert feedback.
"The urgent need for a holistic approach to mitigate all sources of lead exposure, including soil, dust, industrial emissions, lead-based paint, and lead in gasoline, is crucial to address the significant long-term health impacts in South Asia," said Perry Gottesfeld, the Executive Director of Occupational Knowledge International.
The event aimed to serve as a platform for knowledge-sharing, policy dialogue, and collective action to address lead poisoning in India and South Asia, identifying gaps and limitations in existing policies and research, and proposing recommendations for strengthening the policy framework and research agenda.
"Establishing a national lead monitoring system, developing affordable testing technologies, and enacting strong policies to eliminate lead exposure, particularly in the private sector, are crucial steps forward," emphasized Dr. Indu Bhushan, the Chair of the India Working Group (IWG) and former CEO of Ayushman Bharat, who delivered the keynote speech.
The colloquia were chaired by Dr. Indu Bhushan and Prof. Amogh Dev Rai, Research Director at Advanced Study Institute of Asia, and featured expert speakers from India, Philippines, and Florida, Mr. Satish Sinha, Associate Director of Toxics Link in Delhi, Jeiel Guarino, Global Lead Paint Elimination campaigner at IPEN and Florida, Dr. Sudha Rajagopalan, an epidemiologist, and program manager for the lead poisoning prevention program at the Florida Department of Health.
The event was co-partnered by the Young Scholars Initiative (YSI) of the Institute of New Economic Thinking (INET)