Pure Earth 102d ago

Lead (Pb) poisoning remains one of the most widespread yet under-recognised environmental health crises globally, disproportionately affecting children and marginalised communities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (Chen et al, 2025). Despite being entirely preventable, Pb exposure continues through contaminated consumer products, informal recycling of lead-acid batteries, polluted soils, industrial emissions, unsafe housing, and legacy contamination from historical practices. From an environmental justice perspective, Pb poisoning exemplifies systemic inequities: populations least responsible for pollution often bear the heaviest burden of exposure and harm. Informal workers, low-income households, women, and children are routinely exposed to Pb in environments where regulatory protections are weak, enforcement is limited, or economic necessity overrides health safeguards (Howarth & Eiser, 2024). From a human rights standpoint, Pb exposure violates fundamental rights, including the right to health, the right to a safe and clean environment, the rights of the child, and the right to development (Centre for International Environmental Law, 2015). International human rights frameworks recognise states’ obligations to prevent environmental harm that undermines human dignity and wellbeing. Yet Pb poisoning persists largely due to governance gaps, regulatory failures, and insufficient political prioritisation (World Health Organisation, 2024). This webinar seeks to elevate Pb poisoning from a purely technical or health issue to a global justice and rights-based concern, fostering cross-sector dialogue and mobilising coordinated action at national and international levels. SPEAKERS 1. Rev.Dr. Esmond Quansah- Regional Program Director, Africa, Pure Earth 2. Hobson Agyapong, Program Officer- Environmental Protection Authority 3. Oluwatosin Kuti, MD, Founder- Afya Lafia Innovation 4. Dr. Marian Selorm Sapah- Senior Lecturer, University of Ghana & Resource Mobilization Co-Lead and Office Manager- Center for Geoscience Studies (CfGS) MODERATOR Prof. Sena Yvvone Loh, Senior Lecturer, University of Ghana