From correspondents in Delhi, India, 08:31 PM IST

With over 40 percent children around the world suffering from lead poisoning, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) along with some green groups have launched an initiative to phase out lead from paints.

'Lead paint is the second largest source of lead poisoning in children and 97 percent of them live in developing countries. Lead exposure to children can lead to delays in physical and mental development, lower IQ levels and increased behavioural problems,' Ravi Agarwal, director of Toxic Links, a partner in the UN initiative said here Tuesday.

According to Agarwal, the decision was taken in a recently concluded session of International Conference on Chemical Management (ICCM-2) in Switzerland where 162 countries endorsed the partnership to promote phasing out of lead.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)