MEDIA ADVISORY: Media briefing on lead poisoning prevention and the global response (virtual), 13.00 CEST/11.00 GMT on Monday, 12 October 2026

No images? Click here Friday, 9 October 2026  MEDIA ADVISORY  Media briefing on lead poisoning prevention and the global response When: 13.00 CEST/11.00 GMT on Monday, 12 October 2026 What: Media briefing ahead of the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week and the launch of new WHO guidance and technical resources in 2027 Speakers: Bruce Gordon, Director a.i., Department of Environment, Climate Change, One Health and Migration, World Health Organization  Richard Brown, Technical Officer in the Chemicals, Radiation and Health Unit, WHO David Berendes, Senior Technical Advisor, Lead Poisoning Prevention, Resolve to Save Lives  Yi Lu, Deputy Technical Director, Lead Poisoning Prevention, Vital Strategies  Where: Virtual (on Zoom/phone) Join by Zoom: Link: https://who.zoom.us/j/96144338434 Password: L3@dpre! Join by phone: International numbers available: https://who.zoom.us/u/ab9Rx2DIT Webinar ID: 961 4433 8434 Password: 25162294 Why: Provide the evidence, expert context and forward look to enable journalists to report accurately and in depth on lead poisoning as a major but preventable public health threat WHO experts and the partners will brief journalists on the scale of the problem, the often-overlooked sources of exposure, and the measures that can prevent lead from reaching people in the first place.  They will explain what is known about effective prevention, where action is lagging and how the new global plan and practical package are intended to help countries identify priority sources, select high-impact interventions, strengthen regulations and monitor progress. The briefing will help journalists prepare to cover: the health impacts of lead exposure, particularly on children’s developing brains; common sources, including paint, cookware, cosmetics, spices, contaminated environments and informal recycling; why lead poisoning often remains undetected—and why detection must lead to prevention; gaps in national regulation, surveillance and enforcement; and WHO’s forthcoming Global Action Plan on Lead Mitigation and PREVENT Technical Package, expected in 2027. Media contacts: Jaimie Guerra, Communications Officer, WHO guerraja@who.int cc mediainquiries@who.int Susannah Masur, External Affairs Lead, Resolve to Save Lives press@resolvetosavelives.org Claire Kozik, Communications Manager, Vital Strategies CKozik@vitalstrategies.org Notes to journalists A media pack with the background context, relevant information, publications and multimedia assets will be available to help you write informed stories.  WHO and experts from the partner organizations Vital Strategies and Resolve to Save Lives are available for interviews, please reach out to the listed media contacts. When you sign in, you will be automatically put in the meeting room.  Please enter your name and media outlet (use name/outlet) in your Zoom profile and ensure your microphone is connected and active on your computer.   Click "raise hand" if you wish to ask a question (the icon can be found under the tab: participants); this will enter you into the queue for questions. Note to editors: Lead poisoning is largely preventable, yet it continues to cause irreversible harm to children and is estimated to contribute to more than 3.5 million deaths globally each year.  Young children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of lead and can suffer permanent adverse health impacts, particularly on the development of the central nervous system.  Lead causes long-term harm in adults, including increased risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems and kidney damage, while exposure during pregnancy can cause reduced fetal growth and preterm birth. WHO is developing a Global Action Plan to support countries to prevent, detect and manage lead exposure and poisoning and will launch a Technical Package to provide guidance to countries in 2027. International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is an annual global campaign that raises awareness of the health and environmental impacts of lead exposure and promotes actions to prevent lead poisoning. The campaign brings together governments, international organizations, civil society, industry and communities to advance efforts toward a lead-safe future.  The theme for 2026 - “From Detection to Prevention” - emphasizes that exposure may come from multiple, sometimes invisible sources—but that proven preventive measures are available.  The campaign runs from 18–24 October 2026. Also see: Lead poisoning and health fact sheet Media contacts: mediainquiries@who.int   You are receiving this NO-REPLY email because you are included on a WHO mail list. If you have been forwarded this update you can click here to subscribe. Journalists may send feedback to WHO Media Team       Share    Tweet    Share    Forward  World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1202 Geneva 27, Switzerland  Preferences  |  Unsubscribe