In the bustling mechanic enclaves of southern Ghana, informal workers like “Kojo” are unknowingly exposed to dangerous levels of lead daily while repairing vehicle batteries, a practice that continues largely without adequate safety measures, posing a significant public health risk.
For years, Kojo has worked with lead-acid batteries, a substance toxic to the human body, often using only his bare hands and relying on personal hygiene for protection. Health experts, however, emphasize that such measures are insufficient against lead’s pervasive and insidious nature.
The Pervasive Danger of Lead Exposure
Lead is a toxic metal that can enter the body through inhalation of dust, contaminated surfaces, or unwashed hands. Its long-term effects are severe, impacting the brain, kidneys, nerves, and blood system, leading to symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, memory loss, and high blood pressure.
In environments like Kojo’s workshop, the danger is often unseen. Food vendors operate nearby, and workers eat amidst battery waste, engine oil, and chemical residues, creating a continuous cycle of exposure that can go unnoticed for years.
While commonly linked to industrial activities like mining and battery recycling, lead is also found in everyday items including paints, pipes, cosmetics, jewellery, spices, toys, and traditional medicines. This widespread presence makes lead poisoning a growing, yet often overlooked, public health crisis.
A Growing Public Health Crisis in Ghana
Ghana faces a significant challenge with lead exposure, despite increasing awareness. Experts note that public understanding of common exposure sources and the subtle warning signs of poisoning remains low.
“There is no safe level of lead exposure,” health professionals consistently warn. Furthermore, there is no cure for lead poisoning, and treatment options for its long-term health consequences are limited in Ghana, making prevention paramount.
Globally, the health burden from lead exposure is substantial. Research in The Lancet Planetary Health estimated 5.5 million cardiovascular deaths in 2019 due to lead exposure. More recent data suggests around 3.5 million deaths in 2023 alone. Children are particularly vulnerable, with an estimated 800 million worldwide having unsafe blood lead levels.
Over 90 percent of the global disease burden linked to lead exposure occurs in low- and middle-income countries, including regions like Sub-Saharan Africa. This crisis is intrinsically linked to poverty, weak regulations, and the prevalence of informal work sectors with limited safety enforcement.
Lead exposure significantly contributes to learning difficulties in children, potentially accounting for nearly 20 percent of the learning gap between children in low- and middle-income countries and their counterparts in wealthier nations. Early childhood exposure is also linked to an increased risk of criminal behavior later in life.
Economically, the impact is staggering. Global estimates placed the cost of lead exposure at approximately US$6 trillion in 2019, nearly 7 percent of global GDP, with 21.7 million years of healthy life lost that same year due to lead-related illnesses.
Dr. Sumi Mehta, Vice President of Environment, Climate, and Urban Health at Vital Strategies, highlights the difficulty in identifying early symptoms. “Even people who appear healthy may already have high levels of lead in their blood,” she stated.
In Ghana, the statistics are alarming. In 2025, an estimated 32 percent of children under five are projected to have blood lead levels of five micrograms per decilitre or higher, a level considered unsafe. Children exposed to lead are estimated to lose an average of 4.8 IQ points, while Ghana’s economy suffers billions of dollars annually from reduced productivity and healthcare costs.
The Global Burden of Disease 2023 study estimates that lead exposure contributes to over 5,000 cardiovascular deaths in Ghana each year. These figures underscore a profound health, social, and economic burden affecting national development.
Survival Over Safety in the Informal Sector
Workers in battery repair shops are among the most vulnerable. Many report experiencing symptoms like headaches and weakness but have never been tested for lead poisoning, often opting for malaria tests instead.
The primary barrier for many is cost. Essential safety equipment, such as respirators and protective clothing, can be prohibitively expensive for informal laborers struggling to make ends meet.
“For us, survival comes first,” explained one worker. “If I use all my money to buy equipment, how will I feed my family?”
Similar risks are faced by workers like “Yaw” in small paint shops. The strong smell of pigments fills the air as he mixes custom paint colours, often without gloves or a proper mask. He believes open windows and handwashing suffice.
However, environmental health experts caution that pigments in paints, especially older products, can still contain harmful levels of lead and other toxic substances. Yaw acknowledges experiencing breathing discomfort but continues working due to financial necessity.
The experiences of Kojo and Yaw are representative of Ghana’s informal sector, where thousands handle hazardous materials daily with minimal protection. Many work in poorly ventilated, crowded spaces with limited access to health screenings.
Economic hardship compels workers to prioritize immediate income over long-term health risks. In many workshops, years of experience are mistakenly equated with immunity, while specialists emphasize that lead poisoning is a slow, silent process.
Pushing for Deeper Reporting on Lead Exposure
Media coverage on lead exposure in Ghana has often focused on health warnings and research, particularly concerning children, e-waste, and consumer products. Experts believe there’s a need for journalism that emphasizes accountability, public education, and the lived experiences of affected communities.
To address this gap, Vital Strategies organized a training program for Ghanaian journalists in Koforidua, focusing on lead poisoning and environmental health reporting. Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the initiative targets high-risk countries globally.
Participants received training from health experts and seasoned journalists on analyzing data, conducting field reporting, and producing evidence-based stories, aiming to bridge the divide between scientific evidence and public awareness.
Field visits allowed journalists to witness firsthand the inadequate protection afforded to informal workers handling hazardous materials. Experts highlighted that common lead poisoning symptoms like headaches and fatigue are often misattributed to stress or ordinary illnesses.
Justice Sitsofe Yevugah and Benjamin Nobel Adjei of Vital Strategies noted that some lead exposure sources are deeply embedded in cultural practices, such as the application of kohl to children’s eyes. Eliminating these practices requires sustained effort.
Limited Treatment Options and Persistent Challenges
Health experts stress that removing the source of contamination is the primary step in treating lead exposure. For pregnant women and children with elevated blood lead levels, supplementation is recommended, with chelation therapy considered for very high levels.
While the World Health Organization guidelines support treatment decisions, eliminating exposure sources remains critical. Despite government efforts to study lead in consumer products, challenges persist.
Weak regulatory enforcement and inadequate controls on imported high-risk products like kohl and turmeric entering through informal channels continue to pose significant risks.
The ongoing exposure of vulnerable workers and children to lead in Ghana highlights the urgent need for improved safety regulations, public education, and targeted interventions to mitigate this pervasive public health threat and its profound economic and social consequences.
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