Updated

Children in Ivory Coast face serious health risks from lead in paint, with authorities and international teams conducting door-to-door testing of homes for dangerous levels of the toxic metal, according to France 24 on October 23, 2026. Ivorian authorities are also cracking down on illegal mining over pollution fears, though young people cite limited economic alternatives in the informal sector. The dual challenges of environmental contamination and economic hardship create complex public health risks for vulnerable populations.