'Silent Epidemic': Nearly 1 In 3 Kids Exposed To Damaging Levels Of Lead

Lead exposure has been an issue for many years. Above: Women and children from lead-contaminated villages rest on mattresses during testing and treatment for lead poisoning in a ward at the Doctors Without Borders clinic in Anka, Nigeria, in 2010.

It's the first time global data has been gathered on the extent of the problem. Experts are calling it a "groundbreaking" report. And the ill effects can last for a lifetime.

(Image credit: Shawn Baldwin/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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