Rangpur rally demands urgent action against lead pollution

Environmental activists, students, teachers and community members rallied in Rangpur today, urging immediate government action to combat lead pollution and unsafe lead-acid battery recycling practices.

They warned that informal battery recycling and contaminated consumer products are putting millions of Bangladeshi children at risk of permanent neurological and developmental harm.

YouthNet Global organised the awareness rally with support from Pure Earth under the theme "Stop Lead Pollution, Ensure Healthy Lives and a Safe Environment".

The event is part of a week-long nationwide campaign spanning all eight divisions of Bangladesh.

The rally began at Chandra Mor in Rangpur city, passed through major roads including Abu Sayed Chattar, and concluded at the main entrance of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur.

Participants carried banners and placards urging stronger measures to control lead contamination.

According to Unicef, Bangladesh ranks fourth globally for the number of children affected by lead pollution, with more than 3.5 crore children estimated to have dangerously high blood lead levels.

Participants made five demands: official recognition of lead as a toxic chemical and development of a comprehensive national strategy; introduction of regular blood lead monitoring for children and vulnerable communities; enforcement of extended producer responsibility for lead-acid battery manufacturers; safe collection and environmentally sound recycling of used batteries; and strengthening research and institutional capacity.

Speakers said that unregulated dismantling and recycling of used lead-acid batteries release toxic substances into the soil, water, and air, exposing workers, children, and surrounding communities.

Divisional Coordinator of YouthNet Global, Zillaj Sarkar, said that protecting children requires stronger community-level monitoring and awareness.

"Lead pollution is a question of children's rights, public health and justice," he said.

Rangpur representative of YouthNet Global and member of Solution Bangladesh, Sohag Kumar, described lead as a "silent killer" that harms future generations.

"We need urgent action from the government, industries and all stakeholders to control the sources of lead pollution," he said.

"No child's future should be held hostage by toxic pollution. Everyone must come forward to build a safe environment, healthy lives and a lead-free Bangladesh," he added.

Head of the Department of Disaster Science and Management at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur Professor Dr Abu Reza Md Toufikul Islam described lead pollution as a silent poison that gradually damages human health and the environment.

"Awareness and preventive measures are the ways to protect our environment and future generations from this invisible threat," he said.

Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, Sohanur Rahman, said that unsafe battery recycling is harming workers and threatening communities, particularly children.

"Bangladesh urgently needs stronger regulation, public awareness and youth-led action to address this health crisis," he said.

He described lead pollution as an environmental justice issue, noting that poor and vulnerable communities often bear the greatest burden of toxic exposure.

Preliminary findings from the Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2025 show that 38.3% of children aged 12–59 months have blood lead levels at or above 5 micrograms per decilitre—the threshold at which the World Health Organisation recommends identifying and removing the source of exposure.

The survey reports the highest rates in Dhaka at 65.2%, Sylhet at 46.7% and Chattogram at 42.1%, according to a UNICEF notice summarising the findings.

The World Health Organisation states there is no known safe blood lead concentration, as even low exposure can reduce children's intelligence and cause behavioural and learning difficulties.

Mohaiminul Islam Zipat, Coordinator for Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development at YouthNet Global, said that preventing lead pollution is a collective responsibility.

"Families, educational institutions, local governments, industries and young people must work together to ensure a safe and lead-free environment for children," he said.

Country Director of Pure Earth Bangladesh Mitali Das said toxic lead has been detected in consumer products, including children's toys and cooking utensils.

"Strong government monitoring, safe recycling of used lead-acid batteries and widespread public awareness are essential to eliminate the threat of lead exposure," she said.