CGD Lead Poisoning Bi-weekly Update, 12 June

New Publications and Resources

• Round 2: Up to $5 Million for Research on Global Lead Poisoning. Crawfurd et al. Center for Global Development. CGD and Coefficient Giving are inviting initial expressions of interest by 2 August 2026 for up to $5 million in research grants on global lead poisoning, including fieldwork and desk research across disciplines. A live Q&A will be held on 23 June 2026, and CGD is also running a matchmaking process to connect researchers with implementers.

• Lead exposure in an urban population: isotopic evidence reveals contributions from dietary and inhalation pathways. Mu et al. Applied Geochemistry. In Guiyang, Southwest China, isotope tracing linked residents’ blood lead to traffic emissions (54%, split between historical and current sources), lead-zinc smelting (30%), and coal combustion (16%). Estimated exposure pathways were 55% inhalation of lead-containing particles and 45% dietary intake.

• Living Near Lead-Releasing Facilities May Worsen Cognitive Function. Hibah Khaja. Neurology Advisor. In two California ageing cohorts, living within 5 km of EPA-listed facilities reporting lead releases was associated with lower global cognition scores two years later, and one cohort also found lower executive function among those living within 1.5 km.

• The Unbearable Affordability (and Untracked Fate) of Lead Chromates. Berke Çelik. Meander. Çelik argues that product-specific bans on lead chromates in paint, spices, and other goods may not reduce total supply if pigments shift into other sectors, making displacement an important but understudied uncertainty for lead prevention.

• An Introduction to the ULAB Problem. Hugo Smith. Lead Battery Notes. As well as the useful ULAB problem summary, Smith lays out some unresolved questions for funders and researchers, including how far pollution spreads from recycling sites, which steps in the recycling process cause the most exposure, and which policies can make enforcement feasible.

• Andreas Manhart on what actually makes lead-acid battery recycling clean. Hugo Smith. Lead Battery Notes. Manhart describes the economics of the problem and the core safeguards that regulators should prioritise.

• Partnering to PREVENT lead exposure. World Health Organization. WHO and Resolve to Save Lives are developing a technical package to help countries act on lead poisoning, with six actions covering source prioritization, exposure measurement, response to elevated blood lead, partner engagement, regulation, enforcement, and progress tracking. The draft overview module is open for consultation, and WHO is inviting feedback ahead of the planned full package supporting the Global Action Plan on lead mitigation in 2027.

• Lead exposure and poisoning among artisanal kohl manufacturers in Fez, Morocco. Achour et al. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. In a 12-person artisanal manufacturing household, family members had a mean BLL of 43µg/dL, with anemia and neurological symptoms also reported.

Job Opportunities

• Lead-Acid Battery Recycling Initiative is hiring an Operations Manager to build finance, recruitment, and administrative systems as LABRI expands its work with governments and industry on used lead-acid battery recycling into new countries. The role is full-time for 12 months, with possibility of extension; compensation depends on location, applications are due 10 July 2026, and the start date is as soon as possible.

Other Announcements

• Last week, CGD hosted the Second Annual Research Conference on Global Lead Exposure. Thank you to everyone who attended and brought their enthusiasm and attention. The website now hosts recordings of both days’ presentations, as well as a poster gallery. For those who attended, we would love to hear your feedback to help us prepare for 2027. Read coverage of the conference by The Independent here.