Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the permanent and persistent health hazards of lead exposure, particularly its impact on children and adults, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and intervention efforts [1][2][4]. Group 1: Health Impacts of Lead Exposure - Lead exposure can cause irreversible damage to the nervous system, particularly in children, leading to a decline in IQ and other cognitive functions [1][2]. - Approximately 94% of lead accumulates in bones and teeth, while only a small fraction remains in the bloodstream, making it difficult to detect and treat lead poisoning effectively [2][3]. - Long-term exposure to lead is linked to various health issues in adults, including cardiovascular diseases, kidney damage, cognitive impairment, immune deficiencies, reproductive disorders, and cancer [2][3]. Group 2: Statistics and Research Findings - A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health estimated that in 2019, around 5.455 million adults died from cardiovascular diseases caused by lead exposure, a figure more than six times previous estimates [2]. - The total economic loss from cognitive impairment and cardiovascular disease deaths due to lead exposure in 2019 was estimated at $6 trillion, with low- and middle-income countries bearing the heaviest burden [2]. - Research indicates that the half-life of lead stored in bones is approximately 20-30 years, complicating the removal process from the body [3]. Group 3: Regulatory and Monitoring Efforts - Effective lead control strategies and policies implemented by the Chinese government have significantly reduced blood lead levels, especially among children, with a reported 78.4% decrease in blood lead levels among 3-5 year-olds over two decades [4]. - Despite the progress, there is still a lack of large-scale monitoring of blood lead levels in the general population, necessitating increased attention from relevant authorities [4].