India Working Group

The India Working Group on Lead Poisoning, came into being on 1st June, 2023 with Pahle India Foundation acting as its Secretariat. Chaired by Dr. Indu Bhushan, former CEO of Ayushman Bharat and Distinguished Fellow at PIF, the need for a dedicated India group was articulated by the members of the Global Working Group on Understanding and Mitigating the Global Burden of Lead Poisoning as well as by the participants of the High Level Roundtable on Lead Poisoning, organised by PIF with international partners in New Delhi in April, 2023.

The self-chosen mandate of the IWG is to meet quarterly and ideate the best way for India to tackle this challenge, encompassing its various aspects – medical, scientific, educational, policy and innovation.

India Working Group Meetings

Sustaining Momentum: 6th India Working Group Meeting on Lead Poisoning Concludes in New Delhi

On 27th March 2026, the Pahlé India Foundation and i-LEAP successfully hosted the 6th meeting of the India Working Group (IWG) on Lead Poisoning at the India International Centre, New Delhi. This meeting represents the latest chapter in a sustained series of high-level dialogues aimed at eliminating lead exposure in India.

Chaired by Dr. Indu Bhushan, the meeting convened a diverse coalition of global and national experts, including representatives from UNICEF, NRDC, ADB, WHO, CSIR-NEERI, PHFI, NIN, LEEP, GDI, Pure Earth, and Vital Strategies.

A Collaborative Evolution The 6th IWG meeting highlighted both the significant progress achieved through this partnership and the persistent challenges that remain. Experts emphasized the urgent need for a consistent methodology for lead screening and better data coordination across state lines.

Strategic Roadmap & Recommendations The group outlined several priority actions to strengthen the national response:

Geographic Mapping: Identifying specific sources of exposure across different regions.
Point-of-Care Diagnostics: Making screening more accessible to support early detection.
Policy & Regulation: Creating cross-sectoral frameworks to limit exposure.
Mainstreaming: Integrating lead interventions into existing health and nutrition schemes.
Knowledge Sharing: Promoting the exchange of evidence and state-level successes to foster collective learning.

The Power of Partnership The conclusion of this sixth meeting reaffirms that lead poisoning is not just a health issue, but one that touches environment, food safety, and governance. Pahlé India Foundation remains committed to facilitating this multi-sectoral collaboration to protect the most vulnerable members of our society.

India Working Group on Lead Poisoning Fourth Meeting on 29th November 2024 (Virtual)

The fifth meeting of the India Working Group included Updates were shared on PIF’s progress and the launch of the Partnership for a Lead-Free Future (PLF) led by UNICEF and USAID. State-level situational assessments in Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram were reviewed, with funding secured for operational expansion. Ongoing and planned studies were discussed in coal-mining regions to assess lead exposure from fly ash and informal ULAB recycling. UNICEF and World Bank shared updates on lead poisoning initiatives in Uttar Pradesh, including the formation of a Technical Advisory Group and Programme Management Unit. The Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP) presented its work on eliminating lead in paint, including evidence generation, regulatory enforcement, and industry engagement. Progress updates were shared on BLL surveys in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, with plans to expand to additional states, including the Northeast. Emphasis was placed on regional consultations, state-specific action planning, and national-level convergence across partners. The meeting underscored the importance of evidence generation, financing partnerships, and laboratory strengthening to support policy action at scale.

India Working Group on Lead Poisoning Fourth Meeting on 26th August 2024 (Virtual)

The fourth meeting of the India Working Group included Updates were shared on state roundtables and ongoing national studies, highlighting gaps in infrastructure and policy focus on lead poisoning. Planned studies were discussed on lead exposure from paints, spices, and ULAB recycling, with emphasis on the informal sector. The need to improve testing affordability through Target Product Profiles (TPPs) and private-sector innovation was underscored. Strategic guidance highlighted lead poisoning as a life-course issue, affecting child cognition, pregnancy outcomes, and adult cardiovascular disease. Evidence linking lead exposure to children’s IQ loss was emphasised as a powerful policy advocacy lever. Members discussed integrating lead poisoning within environmental health and climate–health frameworks, rather than treating it as a standalone issue. Emphasis was placed on standardised testing protocols, particularly for children with anaemia, ADHD, and other developmental concerns. The meeting reinforced the need for inter-ministerial engagement and documentation of state-level success models to inform national policy

India Working Group on Lead Poisoning Third Meeting on 29th May 2024 (Virtual)

The third meeting of the India Working Group included a presentation of the Action Taken Report, along with updates on progress since the last session. Participants shared their latest findings and discussed recent market research.

India Working Group on Lead Poisoning Second Meeting on 15th February 2024 at India International Centre, New Delhi.

India’s foremost doctors, scientists, public health experts, and representatives from various multilateral organizations came together to discuss strategies for combating the serious issue of lead poisoning in the country. The meeting generated several actionable points, including the expansion of research, collaboration with government departments, heightened awareness, and the sharing of expertise across institutions. The group also discussed the potential effectiveness of leveraging existing policies through a pilot project to address specific challenges.

India Working Group on Lead Poisononing’s Inaugural Meeting – 13th September 2023, New Delhi

The inaugural meeting saw India’s senior most doctors, scientists, public health experts as well as representatives from various multi-lateral organisations, share their insights on how to tackle the grave menace that is lead poisoning in India. Several action points were raised on how to broaden the available research base as well as engage with government departments, raise awareness and share expertise across institutions.

Members of India Working Group on Lead Poisoning

DR. INDU BHUSHAN

CHAIR i-LEAP & DISTINGUISHED FELLOW, PAHLE INDIA FOUNDATION AND FORMER CEO, AYUSHMAN BHARAT