Ethiopia is preparing to launch its first nationwide blood lead level study in the coming Ethiopian New Year, a move expected to provide the country’s first comprehensive picture of lead exposure and its public-health consequences.
The survey will be conducted by the Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) in partnership with Vital Strategies and the CDC Foundation. It will focus on children aged six to 59 months and women aged 15 to 49, two groups considered particularly vulnerable to lead exposure.
Dr. Masresha Tessema, Director of the Nutrition, Environmental Health and Non-communicable Disease Research Directorate at EPHI, said the study will systematically assess the prevalence, geographic distribution and likely sources of elevated blood lead levels.
“Until now, Ethiopia has not had a nationwide assessment capable of showing the full extent of exposure,” he said. Approximately 35% to 36% of Ethiopian children under the age of five have elevated blood lead levels exceeding 5 ug/dL.
Exposure is estimated to cost children under five an average of 5.8 IQ points and is associated with more than 13,500 deaths annually, according to figures cited by health experts. The economic burden is estimated at around 1.3 trillion birr, or approximately $8 billion, each year.
Lead can enter the body through contaminated air, water, soil and consumer products. Key suspected sources in Ethiopia include lead-acid battery recycling, smelting activities, industrial pollution, contaminated food products, paints, cookware, cosmetics and toys.
Because lead poisoning often produces no immediate symptoms, many affected people do not know they have been exposed. Blood testing is considered the most reliable means of confirming exposure.
The study will also support efforts to strengthen laboratory and surveillance capacity. Under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Lead Poisoning Prevention Initiative, the CDC Foundation to Vital Strategies is assisting Ethiopia with pilot sample collection, laboratory analysis, data reporting and standardized testing equipment.
Officials say the findings will help guide prevention measures, identify high-risk communities and support policies aimed at reducing environmental lead contamination.