Bangladesh approves 10-year plan as lead exposure affects more than 1 in 3 young children

Bangladesh’s cabinet has approved a 10-year strategy to curb lead exposure, confronting a public health problem affecting more than one in three young children nationwide and nearly two-thirds in Dhaka district.

The 2025 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey found concerning blood lead levels in 38.34% of children ages 12 to 59 months and 7.54% of pregnant women. The draft says 65.2% of children in Dhaka district are affected, while a separate study found concerning levels in 98% of 500 children ages 2 to 4.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. It uses 3.5 micrograms per deciliter as a reference value for action and recommends confirmatory testing, exposure investigation, and follow-up at or above that level.

Bangladesh’s strategy targets a 50% reduction from baseline by 2030 and 95% by 2035.