Less lead exposure leads to children's protection from illnesses!

The Valenzuela City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) — led by Mayor WES Gatchalian — through the office of Councilor Niña Lopez, had a successful breakthrough in its campaign against Lead Poisoning to the students of Gen. T. de Leon Elementary School and Valenzuela Special Education (ValSPED) Center last September 19, 2024. 

According to the World Health Organization (2024), Lead (Pb) is a natural chemical element used in car batteries, paints, cooking pots, food wares and utensils, jewelry, toys, and some traditional cosmetics, among others. Moreover, exposure to lead can cause serious cases of brain damage, lowered IQ, intellectual impairment, and psychological disability that affects children’s growth and development, and worse, death. Further, even adults are at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases due to lead exposure.

This year, the fourth week of October was celebrated as International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week with the theme, “Bright Futures Begin Lead-Free.” That said, the Valenzuela CSWDO, in partnership with Pure Earth Philippines — through the help of the University of the Philippines Manila - Philippine General Hospital (UP Manila - PGH)’s National Poison Management and Control Center — tested 29 randomly selected children with disabilities (as they are the most vulnerable sector) from Gen. T. de Leon Elementary School and ValSPED Center on September 19, 2024, one month before the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. Aside from the blood lead levels (BLL) testing, a Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey was also conducted to further support the next steps with actual data. 

Valenzuela City is the first city in the Philippines to conduct this activity. The initiative aims to protect the children’s future potential by determining lead exposures that might be causing disabilities and illnesses and addressing them. The result showed that only three (3) students have lead levels equal to and/or above the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) action level of 3.5 ug/dL (lead per deciliter of whole blood). Pure Earth team went to their homes and checked potential sources of exposure from cooking ware, toys, and paints. Further, the city doctors advised the parents to have their kids take multivitamins and eat healthier food options such as fruits and vegetables. 

Following City Resolution No. 3197, series of 2024, Valenzuela City received Lead Care II Analyzer Kits from Pure Earth to monitor BLL in children — this is to assess the prevalence of lead poisoning and help inform the City on appropriate interventions based on results. 

Given that only a small percentage of students were covered by the initial testing, the City Government of Valenzuela still seeks additional partners to expand this work in their cities and throughout the Philippines, monitoring and preventing children’s exposure to lead.

Reference: 

      World Health Organization. (2024). Lead poisoning. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-health 

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