A new study by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSRC) and UNICEF has found that 4 in 10 children aged 12 to 36 months in high-risk areas across seven major cities in Pakistan have lead in their blood.
The study, based on samples from more than 2,100 children in industrial areas of Haripur, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, and Rawalpindi, showed significant variation, with the highest levels recorded in Hattar, Haripur, where 88 percent of children were affected, compared to 1 percent in Islamabad.
UNICEF said lead exposure can severely harm children’s health, affecting brain development, lowering IQ, reducing attention span, and increasing the risk of learning and behavioral problems.
The study identified major sources of exposure, including industrial emissions, informal battery recycling, lead-based paints, contaminated food and spices, and traditional cosmetics.
Health Secretary Muhammad Aslam Ghauri said protecting children from lead exposure is a national public health priority, adding that the government plans to strengthen monitoring, enforcement, and preventive measures.
UNICEF warned that children absorb lead at much higher rates than adults and that there is no safe level of exposure, calling for coordinated action to address the issue.
