Lead-Free Tanzania Initiative

Project Overview

Lead-Free Tanzania Initiative: From Evidence to Action

Location: Mwanza Region, Tanzania

Partner: Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP – Local Action Fund)

Implementer: Networking for Society Development Organization (NESODO)

NESODO is implementing a community-driven project to tackle lead contamination in consumer products. Lead exposure remains a silent public health threat in Tanzania with limited awareness and evidence. Through stakeholder workshops, sample collection, awareness campaigns, and policy engagement, this initiative strives to generate reliable data and catalyze systematic change.

Goals & Objectives

Driving systemic change through science, education, and policy

Project Goal

Reduce human exposure to lead through science-based interventions, education, and strengthened policy frameworks.

Testing & Evidence

Conduct accredited testing of lead levels in paints, spices, and cosmetics

Community Education

Educate communities including children, pregnant women, painters, and consumers

Policy Engagement

Support policy dialogue and formation of a National Lead-Free Taskforce

Background & Rationale

Lead exposure from common consumer products — paints, spices, and cosmetics — is a critical public health issue with lifelong consequences, particularly for children and pregnant women. In Tanzania, lead contamination remains a silent threat, with limited public awareness, insufficient testing capacity, and weak enforcement of safety standards.

Children are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning, which can cause irreversible damage to the developing brain, leading to reduced IQ, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. Pregnant women exposed to lead risk passing the toxin to their unborn children, affecting fetal development.

"There is no safe level of lead exposure. Even small amounts can cause serious health problems, especially in children under six years old."

— World Health Organization

This project contributes to addressing this challenge by supporting evidence generation, strengthening collaboration with regulatory authorities, raising stakeholder awareness, and informing policy dialogue aimed at progressively strengthening national systems for lead exposure prevention.

31

Product Samples Collected

100+

Stakeholders Engaged

Timeline & Milestones

Project implementation roadmap

Oct 1–4

Project Coordination

Team mobilization, stakeholder identification, and logistics planning

Oct 5–18

Sampling & Testing

Collection of 31 consumer product samples from paints, spices, and cosmetics

Oct 22–25

Stakeholder Workshop

Multi-sector engagement: government, manufacturers, civil society, and community leaders

Nov 9–22

Final Report Preparation

Data analysis, documentation, and report compilation

Dec 1–20

Reporting & Closure

Final report submission, stakeholder feedback, and project closeout

Outcomes & Impact

What we achieved and the path forward

Evidence Generated

31 consumer product samples collected from markets across Mwanza Region for lead testing

Stakeholders Engaged

Local government, manufacturers, retailers, and community leaders mobilized for action

Policy Gap Identified

Limited testing capacity documented — strengthening case for accredited lab establishment

Moving Forward

This pilot initiative has laid a strong foundation for a scalable national response to lead exposure in Tanzania. The project generated critical field-level evidence, strengthened stakeholder collaboration, and highlighted systemic gaps that require coordinated action.

Building on these results, NESODO is actively seeking strategic partnerships to:

Expand accredited laboratory testing capacity for consumer products
Scale community awareness and behavior change interventions
Support policy dialogue toward the establishment of a National Lead-Free coordination mechanism
Replicate and adapt the model to additional regions with high exposure risk

NESODO is currently engaging development partners and technical institutions, including ongoing discussions under Pure Earth funding mechanisms, to transition from evidence generation to implementation of sustainable, long-term solutions. We welcome collaboration with government agencies, research institutions, donors, and civil society actors committed to protecting children, women, and communities from toxic lead exposure.

Photos & Media

Visual stories from the field

Stakeholder Workshop

Multi-sector engagement bringing together government officials, manufacturers, and community leaders

Sample Collection

Team members collecting consumer product samples from local markets for lead testing

Community Engagement

Raising awareness about lead exposure risks among vulnerable populations

Policy Dialogue

Engaging policymakers on the need for accredited testing facilities and stronger regulations

Team Coordination

NESODO project team planning field activities and stakeholder engagement strategies

Field Work

On-ground data collection and documentation across Mwanza Region

Resources & Downloads

Access project documents and materials

Narrative Report

Comprehensive project report including methodology, findings, and recommendations

Download PDF

Policy Brief

Evidence-based recommendations for lead exposure elimination policy

Download PDF

Financial Summary

Transparent breakdown of project expenditure and resource allocation

Download PDF

Workshop Materials

Presentations and training materials from stakeholder workshops

Download ZIP

Join Us in Creating a Lead-Free Tanzania

Help NESODO expand this work by supporting evidence-based interventions, community education, and policy reform. You can partner, volunteer, or donate to help protect Tanzanian families from the harmful effects of lead exposure.

Support accredited lab establishment
Fund community awareness campaigns
Enable policy advocacy and reform
Scale evidence collection to more regions

Get Involved

Donate Now Contact Project Team Volunteer

Your support accelerates nationwide scaling of lead exposure prevention efforts

Project Overview