Pollution and Health: A Global Public Health Crisis
Explore our main reportLead exposure in the LAC region stems from multiple sources, making coordinated, multi-sectoral policy action essential to protect public health and reduce pollution at scale.
On 30 October 2025, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with support from the European Union and in collaboration with the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP), convened a regional webinar to advance a coordinated approach to lead management and exposure prevention across Latin America and the Caribbean.
The session brought together government agencies, technical experts, and regional partners to strengthen policy alignment and promote safer, formalized systems for the collection, transport, and recycling of Used Lead-Acid Batteries (ULABs) — a major source of lead exposure in many countries.
In this event:
Dr. Lilian Corra (GAHP Senior Advisor) highlighted GAHP’s work supporting multi-sectoral dialogue and circular economy solutions to reduce lead exposure, including recent progress in Brazil, where policy reforms are reinforcing safe ULAB recycling through regulated reverse logistics systems.
Mr. Alberto Santos Capra (GAHP Board Member), speaking in his capacity as Director of the Basel Convention Regional Centre in Argentina, presented regional guidance and capacity-building efforts that assist countries in strengthening environmentally sound ULAB management.
Why This Matters
Informal ULAB recycling continues to contaminate communities, homes, and the environment — with significant health impacts, particularly for children. Strengthening regulatory systems and coordinating policy across sectors enables countries to:
Reduce lead exposure
Protect public health
Support circular resource recovery