In a significant step toward combating one of India’s most pressing yet under-recognized public health threats, Pahlé India Foundation (PIF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur, to conduct India’s first comprehensive nationwide study on pediatric lead exposure.
The study will focus on measuring blood lead levels (BLLs) in children and evaluating their impact on cognitive and behavioural health outcomes. It marks a crucial collaboration between seven premier AIIMS institutions across India, with AIIMS Nagpur taking the lead as the coordinating centre.
“This is a silent public health emergency that has gone unnoticed for too long,” said Dr. (Prof.) Prashant P. Joshi, Executive Director of AIIMS Nagpur. “Through this pioneering initiative, we hope to bridge critical data gaps and generate actionable evidence to safeguard the health and development of our children.”
The initiative is being undertaken under the India Lead Elimination Action Partnership (i-LEAP), a Centre of Excellence hosted by Pahlé India Foundation. i-LEAP is led by Dr. Indu Bhushan, former CEO of Ayushman Bharat, who emphasized the importance of evidence-based policymaking in tackling environmental toxins.
“Our partnership with AIIMS Nagpur represents a major milestone in our mission to eliminate lead exposure in India,” Dr. Bhushan said. “We aim to build a robust foundation of data that will inform national strategies and catalyze stronger regulatory action.”
Lead poisoning in children is known to impair brain development, reduce IQ, and increase the risk of behavioural disorders. Yet, awareness and monitoring of lead exposure in India remain limited. This study aims to change that by providing the first large-scale, standardized national assessment of lead burden in children.
The results of the survey are expected to shape future public health interventions, regulatory frameworks, and community awareness programs aimed at eliminating lead exposure sources across the country.