Lead exposure in Leeds: UK Government to launch testing for lead poisoning in children across the UK, starting with children in Leeds

What has happened?

Scientists have discovered that heavy metals, including lead, are seeping from abandoned mines into water supplies across the UK. In 2023, the Environment Agency reported that abandoned mines are the largest source of metal pollution to English rivers and to the marine environment.

The UK has a history of metals mining and thousands of mines have been abandoned across the country without adequate clean-up4. According to reports, fine-grained mine waste has flowed downstream over several decades and has collected in river-channels and floodplains. The UK Government previously set a target in 2023 to halve the length of rivers and estuaries polluted by target substances from abandoned metals mines by 2038. 

Farmers have inadvertently reared their animals on land that has been contaminated by lead, resulting in the risk that any produce sourced from that land could be contaminated. Eggs from chickens kept on contaminated land have been found to have concentrations of lead much higher than those found in eggs from other sources.

Pollution of natural water supplies also affects marine and other wildlife. In Keswick, recent reports indicated that an abandoned mine has caused levels of zinc in the Gategill Beck to exceed safe limits for river wildlife by up to 2,500 times.

How does lead poisoning cause ill-health?

Lead is a toxic heavy metal with no safe level, which is prevalent across the UK as a legacy of industries including mining.

Exposure to lead is especially damaging to children. It can disrupt their early growth and cause developmental disorders and learning difficulties, as well as having a potentially significant impact on their intelligence levels. In pregnant women, exposure to lead has been linked to premature births and associated problems.

The WHO notes the following regarding lead exposure in children:

‘"Lead exposure can have serious consequences for the health of children. Exposures to very high levels of lead can severely damage the brain and central nervous system causing coma, convulsions and even death. Children who survive severe lead poisoning may be left with permanent, irreversible intellectual disability and behavioural disorders. At lower levels of exposure that may have no obvious symptoms, lead can lead to a spectrum of injury across multiple body systems."

Exposure to lead can be very harmful to both children and adults, even in small amounts. High levels of lead can cause damage to the kidneys and nervous system in adults. It can cause vomiting, headaches, and in some cases, heart attacks. In extreme cases, exposure to lead can prove fatal.

Some studies indicate that if a child were to consume just one or two eggs per day that were contaminated with lead, that would be enough to contribute to developmental problems. 

What is being done? 

On 17 November 2025, the Government announced the Elevated Childhood Lead Interagency Prevalence Study (ECLIPS) which early in the new year will send out home testing kits in selected areas, encouraging individuals to collect samples of their blood through pinprick tests.

Leeds will be the pilot area for the ECLIPS study: initial information indicates that around 500 children will be tested. The results of the testing will be released next spring, and it is believed this testing could eventually be rolled out across the UK.  

Why Leeds?