Fact Sheet - Industrial Estates and Lead Pollution
Estimated Population at Risk at Identified Sites: 2.9 Million People*
Estimated Global Impact: 5 to 8 Million People*
What Are Industrial Estates?
Industrial Estates are planned, zoned areas that are set aside for industrial production. These areas are frequently built outside of major population centers or residential neighborhoods, and are easily accessible via roads, rail, and boat. Industrial estates are often governed by regulatory regimes that are set up to advance and encourage industry. Industrial estates may contain a variety of businesses ranging from food production to heavy metal smelting.
How Is Lead Used and Created at Industrial Estates?
There are a large variety of industries within industrial estates that may be responsible for lead contamination. Typical industries that produce high amounts of lead and that may be found in industrial estates include: lead-acid battery production and recycling; lead smelting and casting; manufacturing of lead-glass and lead compounds; manufacturing of pigments, paint, and ceramic glazes; and recycling of e-waste.
What Are the Human Exposure Pathways for Lead from Industrial Estates?
Due to the diverse industries within industrial estates that may cause lead contamination, there are a number of different ways that toxins can enter the environment and can come into contact with people. Lead smelting and casting can release lead into the air, where it can travel long distances and contaminate soil, surface water, and food. Other industries that use lead in their production processes, such as paint and lead-acid battery manufacturing, can contaminate the environment through untreated, toxic effluent that is sometimes released directly into nearby water systems or dumped on the ground and contaminate soil and groundwater.
What Are the Health Risks Associated with Lead Exposure?
The health effects of exposure to lead can be both acute and chronic, and the problems caused by lead poisoning are particularly dangerous and severe for children. Health problems associated with lead poisoning can include reduced I.Q., anemia, neurological damage, physical growth impairments, nerve disorders, pain and aching in muscles and bones, memory loss, kidney disorders, fatigue, and headaches. Exposure to high concentrations of lead can cause seizures, delirium, coma, and in some cases, death.
*Population estimates are preliminary and based on an ongoing global assessment of polluted sites.
