Lead Risks and Prevention: Evidence from Ivory Coast

Veronique Gille (), Flore Gubert (), Camille Saint-Macary (), Stéphanie Dos Santos, Franck Houffoue, Hugues Kouadio, Epiphane Marahoua, Petanki Soro and Alexander van Geen
Additional contact information
Veronique Gille: IRD, UMR LEDa, PSL, Universite Paris-Dauphine, France
Flore Gubert: IRD, UMR LEDa, PSL, Universite Paris-Dauphine, France
Camille Saint-Macary: IRD, UMR LEDa, PSL, Universite Paris-Dauphine, France
Stéphanie Dos Santos: LPED (IRD/AMU), Centre Saint-Charles, Marseille, France
Franck Houffoue: Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Epiphane Marahoua: Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Petanki Soro: UFR of Earth Sciences and Mineral Resources, University Felix Houphouet Boigny, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Alexander van Geen: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY, USA

No DT/2025/04, Working Papers from DIAL (Développement, Institutions et Mondialisation)

Abstract: Lead (Pb) exposure is a major global health concern, particularly for young children, yet awareness of the risks is low. Pb-based paint remains a significant source of exposure in many low- and middle-income countries, despite existing regulations. We investigate whether personalized information on lead in paint can increase awareness and encourage preventive behaviors. As part of a pilot study in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, painted surfaces in 200 pregnant women’s homes were tested using a low-cost Pb detection kit, followed by confirmatory testing with an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) device. Women whose homes tested positive for Pb were 34 percentage points more likely to acknowledge their exposure risk. This increased awareness led to self-reported behavioral changes among mothers of young children, including a higher likelihood of preventing children from ingesting paint chips and washing their hands more frequently. However, we find no impact on home-cleaning or renovation behaviors. Our findings highlight the potential of personalized information to drive behavioral change in environmental health.

JEL-codes: I12 I15 I31 Q53 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 19 pages
Date: 2025-05
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea
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