caused by chemical exposure are due to lead exposure (World Health Organization (2016). In a detailed analysis
of the global disease burden by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) from 1990 to 2019, it
was found that the number of deaths attributable to lead exposure increased from 0.53 million in 1990 to 0.90
million in 2019, representing a 70.19% increase over the 30-year period (Zhou, N. et al (2022). Lead exposure
in 2019 caused approximately 901,720 deaths and 21.68 million DALYs globally, with a significant impact on
individuals aged 60 years and older, accounting for 61.21% of the burden. Lead poisoning is a significant
environmental health concern with severe impacts on the human body. Various sources contribute to lead
exposure, including informal battery recycling, traditional medicines, household dust, paint, glazed ceramics,
lead-contaminated water, food grown in lead-contaminated soil, and lead found in consumer goods like
cosmetics, toys, spices and even cookware (Obeng- Gyasi, E. (2019). Lead exposure led to 30% of global
cardiovascular deaths (5.5 million deaths) and the loss of 765 million IQ points in children under 5 in 2019.
Approximately 90% of these cardiovascular deaths and 95% of the IQ loss occurred in low- and middle-income
countries (LMICs).
