Reducing lead exposure among residents of Bangladesh

Lead is a potent neurotoxin that irreversibly impairs child cognitive development. Our earlier work found elevated blood lead levels among pregnant women living in non-industrial rural populations across central Bangladesh and identified lead-soldered food storage cans as one of the pathways that contributes to elevated blood lead levels. We are currently developing and evaluating a behavior change intervention to reduce the risk of lead exposure at the household level. We are also exploring why lead solder is used in the process of food can manufacturing in Bangladesh and reviewing approaches other low- and middle- income countries low income countries have used to reduce the use of lead solder.