The study of Blood Lead Levels (BLL) in children on the island of Java conducted by the Occupational and Environmental Health Research Center (OEHRC) IMERI Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia (FKUI) in collaboration with the Pure Earth (PE) Foundation Indonesia, shows that nearly 90 percent of children have BLL exceeding the limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Of the prevalence of lead contamination mentioned above, 19 children (3 percent) among them require therapy.

The study was conducted during the period of May – August 2023 on children aged 12 - 59 months. The results showed that among children with a blood lead level (KTD) of more than 20 ug/dL, 34 percent experienced anemia. **Growth and Development Delays** Children with a KTD of more than 20 ug/dL accompanied by anemia, 14 percent of them also experienced growth and development delays. The effect is that children with a KTD of more than 20 ug/dL with anemia are 4 times more at risk of experiencing growth and development delays.

Exposure to lead can also cause birth defects, brain damage, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and others. Lead can be found in nature and used in various types of products around us. Many activities such as informal lead-acid battery recycling in household environments and daily activities related to lead can contribute to lead pollution in the environment.

The researchers noted that lead pollution occurs in soil, water, and air, causing adverse effects on the health of children and adults.

WHO recommends a Blood Lead Level (BLL) of 5 µg/dL as an indicator of environmental exposure sources that need to be monitored, therefore it is advised that BLL should not exceed that level. Meanwhile, 45 µg/dL is the BLL threshold for considering therapy administration.

"We can be exposed from our home environment. Lead contamination in the environment and its impact on health should urge us to take immediate action for handling and prevention," he said. Source: Liputan6.com