Georgia has survived wars, political upheavals, and economic crises. Yet, an invisible enemy—more insidious because it makes no sound—remains one of the most significant threats to the nation’s population today. Lead poisoning is an unresolved catastrophe in Georgia, and for years, the response has been a deafening silence.
While Non-Governmental Organizations and activists raised the alarm, the state machinery largely remained in denial. It took a group of determined volunteers, going door-to-door to test household items, to force the issue into the light. Their goal was simple: to prove the severity of the problem.
Critics dismissed their methodology and the scale of their study, but the terrifying reality of their findings could not be ignored: In a sampling of 17 families, toxic concentrations of lead were found in the homes of 14.
“There were scattered opinions, but no confirmed research. We, the volunteers, proved that we have a problem and the state must act. That was the main goal. We do not accept criticism regarding methodology or scale because this study confirmed a daily reality: every day, we touch dangerous items. This is the environment we live in,” says Eka Laliashvili, one of the organizers of the lead study, speaking to Fortuna.
The Anatomy of a Poisoned Home: Study Findings
The volunteer study offers a grim snapshot of the Georgian household. Despite the small sample size, the density of the contamination is alarming.
- Prevalence: Out of 17 families tested, 14 showed dangerous levels of lead. Only 3 were clean.
- The Renovation Paradox: The danger is not necessarily in “old” decay. Despite families having completed renovations an average of 5 years ago, or living in newly constructed homes, construction and repair materials were the source of lead in 9 families.
- The Spice Route: Despite recent tightening of regulations, spices remain a critical vector. In 7 families, spices were the source. Of all food samples taken, 6% were contaminated.
- Child’s Play: In 7 families, the source of the neurotoxin was found in children’s toys.
- Everyday Items: Jewelry (2 families), knitwear (1), cosmetics (1), and kitchenware (1) also tested positive.
A Case Study in Toxicity: In one particularly harrowing case, two children (aged 10 and 4) were found to have extremely high blood lead levels (179 µg/L and 148 µg/L respectively). In their home, 2% of all sampled surfaces and items showed dangerous concentrations.
Crucially, none of the families had tested their children for lead based on a pediatrician’s advice. The medical system simply wasn’t looking for it. Furthermore, the “Soviet Legacy” myth was debunked; no old Soviet paint was identified as a source. Instead, the threat comes from modern construction sites, heavy traffic, and brightly colored modern objects—suggesting that the pigments used in imported goods are the culprits.
Note: In this specific study, tap water, household cleaning products, and ceramic dishes did not test positive.
The Wall of Silence and The Slow Awakening
Lead contamination is continuous, yet no single agency has full control over it. The response requires a complex, multi-agency approach. However, officials responsible for this issue have long been in “defense mode,” avoiding the admission of a systemic crisis. Except for the Minister of Health, most ministries issued recommendations by the study group remained silent.
“The situation is noteworthy, but we are on the right path to eliminating this problem,” stated the Minister of Health. “Our main task now is to conduct an analysis of all family members and living conditions for those children identified with high lead content, to determine the source and establish monitoring.”
The “Aggressive Generation” Hypothesis
The most chilling aspect of lead poisoning is not just physical illness, but what it does to the human mind. Lead is a potent neurotoxin that attacks the developing brain.
The study’s findings suggest that the most contaminated items are toys and building materials—things children are exposed to constantly. Beyond developmental delays and IQ loss, high lead exposure is scientifically linked to impulse control issues, violent behavior, and aggression.
Foreign experts attending the presentation of the study made a stark comparison: “Georgia looks like 1980s America.”
For decades, the United States battled a lead epidemic (primarily from gasoline and paint). Following the removal of lead, crime rates in the U.S. dropped significantly in the 1990s—a correlation known as the Lead-Crime Hypothesis. Georgia, experts fear, is currently incubating the very problem America spent decades solving.
“We must use existing experience to achieve results in a few years. That same experience gave America an aggressive generation,” explains Eka Laliashvili. “Children who had lead in their blood, due to underdevelopment and nervous system disorders, exhibited high levels of aggression years later. Lead content is directly linked to the rise in crime.
We really do not have the gene pool to spare; we cannot afford to wait for an aggressive generation. It is especially important for a small nation like ours to answer such challenges in time.”
Waiting for the State: Assessment and Action
The state, in collaboration with UNICEF, has conducted a larger-scale comprehensive study. Preliminary data suggests the results are equally unfavorable. Once these figures are official, no agency will be able to turn a blind eye.
The Roadmap to Detoxification: Experts and activists are calling for immediate, rigid steps:
- Customs Control: The primary defense line. The state must stop lead-laden goods (toys, materials, paints) at the border.
- Healthcare Reform: Blood lead level testing must become routine. The recommendation is to make testing free for all children under 5 and pregnant women.
- Medical Training: The medical sector must be retrained to recognize the symptoms of lead poisoning, moving from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.
The verdict is clear: The danger is real, the chemicals are in our homes, and without immediate intervention, the cost will be paid by the future of Georgia’s children.
