A survey of studies on blood lead concentrations and its health outcomes in Nepal: A review

Authors

• Rajesh Sharma, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
• Surya Prakash Joshi, Chaumala Primary Health Care Center, Kailali, Nepal.
• Sanjeev Kharel, Mountain Medicine Society of Nepal, Nepal.
• Aayush Adhikari, Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Nepal.
• Sishir Poudel, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal.
• Soniya P. Regmi, Nepal Poison Center Collaborative, HAPSA, Nepal.
• Laxmi Sharma, Nepal Poison Center Collaborative, HAPSA, Nepal.
• Raj Kumar Dangal, Department of Emergency Medicine, Dhulikhel Hospital, Nepal.
• Ziad Kazzi, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
• Vikas Kapil, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
• Ramu Kharel, Department of Emergency Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-25-2026

Publication Title

Environmental toxicology and pharmacology

Abstract

Lead is a toxic heavy metal widely used in industries and consumer products. This review aims to synthesize available evidence on blood lead levels (BLLs), associated health outcomes, and sources of lead exposure in Nepal. Literature review was done for studies published up to December 2024 where Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 1154 individuals. Mean BLLs varied widely, from 3.7 to 20.33 µg/dL across different populations. Key sources of exposure included lead-based paints, batteries, household dust, and environmental pollutants. Elevated BLLs were significantly associated with neurodevelopmental delays, reduced IQ, and anemia. Despite regulatory steps, enforcement remains inconsistent, and population-level screening is lacking. Lead exposure remains a critical and under-addressed public health issue in Nepal. Comprehensive national surveillance, stronger enforcement of existing regulations, public education, and the expansion of toxicology services, including poison centers and chelation availability, are urgently needed.

First Page

104997

PubMed ID

41895418

Volume

124

Publisher

Elsevier

Rights

Copyright © 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Recommended Citation

Sharma, Rajesh; Joshi, Surya Prakash; Kharel, Sanjeev; Adhikari, Aayush; Poudel, Sishir; Regmi, Soniya P.; Sharma, Laxmi; Dangal, Raj Kumar; Kazzi, Ziad; Kapil, Vikas; and Kharel, Ramu, "A survey of studies on blood lead concentrations and its health outcomes in Nepal: A review" (2026). School of Medicine Faculty Publications. 4650.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/som_facpubs/4650
10.1016/j.etap.2026.104997