This interactive map aims to serve as a central repository, by country, for data sets, research, regulatory and
more pertaining to the global health crisis of lead exposure and poisoning. By maintaining this repository, our
aim is to increase awareness, understand the drivers of this crisis, and accelerate the pace of solutions.
It was initially created to visualize the data presented in The Toxic Truth, authored by Pure Earth and UNICEF.
Data is provided by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, utilizing their Burden of Disease dataset for
2019. With research and data sets expanding, layers will be added to the map as they become available.
If you have data or other documentation to add to the map, email leadpollution@pureearth.org.
Air pollution data set provided by
AirVisual, spanning
9000+ cities globally, a list which is growing every day. The data set gets updated once daily.
Exposure data includes the following estimates for each country:
- Number of children (19 and under) with blood lead levels (BLL) over 5 ug/dl. This is higher than the current WHO and CDC level of concern of 3.5 ug/dl.
Children above this threshold are likely to have reduced IQ, increased developmental disabilities, and
other significant health and societal problems.
- Number of children with BLL over 10 ug/dl.
- Average BLL for that country
- Premature deaths attributed to lead (IHME 2019). Deaths are attributed to increased risk of cardiovascular
disease
- Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) attributed to lead (IHME 2019)
Data is provided by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, utilizing their Burden of Disease dataset
for 2019. Source: Pure Earth/UNICEF.
WQI – UNEP/GEMS water and EEA Waterbase
The Global Environment Monitoring System for freshwater (GEMS/Water) provides the world community with sound data
on fresh water quality to support scientific assessments and decision-making on the subject. Surface and ground
water quality monitoring data collected from the global GEMS/Water monitoring network is shared through the
GEMStat information system. Learn more at https://www.unep.org/gemswater/who-we-are/overview
A ranking system, the Blacksmith Index, ranks the severity of the site using a logarithmic scale. See these
publications for detailed methodology.
A Simplified Risk-Ranking System for
Prioritizing Toxic Pollution Sites in Low-and Middle-Income Countries
