Lead exposure remains a significant yet often overlooked public health concern in Bangladesh, particularly impacting millions of children. Recent findings presented by experts from icddr,b and international partners have highlighted the severity of the situation. Data from a study conducted between 2022 and 2024 in Dhaka showed that an alarming 98 percent of children between the ages of two and four had blood lead levels (BLLs) surpassing the recommended threshold of 35 µg/L established by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The median BLL was recorded at 67 µg/L, with not a single child testing negative for lead exposure. These statistics not only raise medical alarms but also indicate a pressing national crisis that necessitates immediate legal, regulatory, and societal actions.
Bangladesh has been identified as the fourth most severely affected country by lead exposure worldwide, with a staggering 35 million children affected, according to UNICEF. Reports from UNICEF and icddr,b emphasize that this issue transcends mere health implications, constituting a crisis rooted in human rights violations. Lead exposure detrimentally impacts brain development, leading to irreversible cognitive impairments, behavioral issues, and growth stunting, infringing upon children’s rights under both domestic and international legal frameworks. Bangladesh, as a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), is obligated under Article 24 to safeguard children’s health from environmental hazards. Additionally, the country’s Constitution, under Article 18(1), mandates the state to enhance public health and nutrition standards. The persistence of lead poisoning unchecked signals a systemic failure to fulfill these obligations.
While commendable strides have been made in addressing issues like turmeric adulteration, with a significant reduction from 47 percent in 2019 to under one percent by 2021 through collaborative efforts by icddr,b and the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), certain sources of lead contamination like cookware, cosmetics, dust, and informal sectors remain unregulated. Although the Consumer Rights Protection Act of 2009 prohibits harmful goods and imposes penalties under Section 43, enforcement lacks efficacy. Monitoring consumer safety and environmental risks to children’s health falls within the purview of agencies such as the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and the Department of Environment (DoE).
The ongoing crisis underscores the critical need for institutional accountability in overseeing industrial permits and ensuring product safety, particularly in areas like cosmetics and cookware. In the absence of science-based regulations and consistent enforcement, hazardous products and practices persist, endangering public health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lead exposure during pregnancy poses intergenerational risks as it can harm the fetus by crossing the placental barrier. Despite known dangers, polluting industries continue to operate near densely populated regions, exposing children to toxic pollutants. Coordinated regulatory measures are imperative to avert long-term harm and safeguard the health and rights of future generations in Bangladesh.
The judiciary in Bangladesh has acknowledged the right to a healthy environment as a fundamental constitutional guarantee. In the landmark case of Dr. Mohiuddin Farooque v Bangladesh (1996), the Supreme Court recognized that environmental degradation could violate Article 32 of the constitution, which ensures the right to life. Subsequently, in a writ petition, the court directed the government to address harmful air pollutants, reinforcing the principle that public health and environmental protection are intertwined. Such legal precedents should be invoked to shield children from lead exposure through fresh public interest litigations under Article 102 of the constitution, holding regulatory bodies accountable.
In addition to legal reforms, extensive public awareness campaigns must be implemented on a large scale. While some health education initiatives exist, they fall short of reaching the necessary scope to alter public behavior or pressure informal sectors. Community education initiatives, leveraging schools, religious institutions, and local governance bodies, are crucial, especially in urban slums and industrial zones with high exposure rates. Parents need to be educated on the risks associated with using lead-based cookware and cosmetics.
Addressing the lead poisoning crisis demands a united national strategy that aligns with the country’s constitutional obligations, international human rights commitments, and established legal interpretations. Regulatory bodies must enhance oversight, ensure adherence to regulations, and impose penalties where warranted. Simultaneously, the legal community should utilize available legal remedies to hold negligent parties accountable. Sustainable progress hinges on continuous legal actions, active institutional accountability, and widespread public awareness to ensure every child grows up in a safe and healthy environment.