88pc children in KP Hattar found with elevated blood lead levels

DLP Report PESHAWAR The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Monday took up the alarming issue of elevated blood lead levels among children living in the Hattar Industrial Estate area, with lawmakers calling for urgent measures to address the potential health risks. The matter was raised by opposition lawmaker Shazia Jadoon through a call-attention notice. According to the notice, a UNICEF survey found elevated blood lead levels in 88 per cent of children tested in Hattar, Haripur. The finding is particularly concerning as lead exposure can have serious and lasting effects on children's health and development. The notice urged the provincial government and relevant departments to take immediate remedial measures, including regular blood testing of children and establishment of a proper monitoring mechanism to identify and control lead exposure. Speaking during the discussion, Shazia Jadoon described the situation as highly alarming and called for urgent action to protect children living in the area. Provincial Minister Akbar Ayub said the issue should be addressed on an emergency basis and stressed the need to install water filtration plants to ensure the availability of safe drinking water. Following approval by the House, the matter was referred to the Child Caucus for further consideration. The UNICEF-supported study, conducted in collaboration with Pakistan's Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, sampled more than 2,100 children in high-risk industrial areas across seven cities. Hattar in Haripur recorded the highest proportion of children with elevated blood lead levels, at 88 per cent.