Abstract:Background: Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal and potent neurotoxin, with no safe level of exposure. One in three children worldwide are exposed to lead, which causes irreversible damage once it accumulates in the body. Lead affects children’s developing nervous systems even at very low levels of exposure, contributing to developmental delays, cognitive impairments, behavioural issues and underperformance at school. Lead paint is an important exposure source, which is only regulated in four of the ten ASEAN countries. Despite clear evidence of harm, lead is still used in paint – even though there are safe, lead-free, cost-equivalent alternative paint formulations. In ASEAN countries, use of lead paint is reportedly widespread in children’s environments, including homes, schools and playgrounds. Objectives: To assess the health effects of lead exposure in children, potential mechanisms for routine surveillance and the regulation of lead paint in ASEAN countries, focusing on Malaysia and Singapore. Materials and Methods: Rapid review of studies conducted in ASEAN on the health effects of lead exposure on children, focused on lead paint; policy review of public health monitoring mechanisms for lead exposure and lead paint legislation and enforcement. Preliminary exposure assessment of lead paint in selected sites where children are likely to be exposed using Lumetallix lead testing kits in Malaysia and Singapore. Results: Preliminary findings indicate that few studies specifically address lead paint exposure and its health effects in ASEAN. Policy and legislation is nascent in some countries while non-existent in others. Mechanisms for routine blood lead level surveillance exist in Malaysia and Singapore. Conclusions: Findings indicate an urgent need for studies assessing exposure to lead paint. We urge environmental health and public health experts, toxicologists and research funders to collaborate in developing local evidence to inform regional action on lead paint elimination.
Keywords: Climate Change and Planetary Health, Lead paint, Lead exposure, Lead poisoning, Early Childhood Development
