Lead poisoning emerges as public health concern in Port-au-Prince
A public health thesis at Université Quisqueya reports average lead levels in the capital's water far above WHO limits.
Lead poisoning is increasingly becoming a public health concern in Port-au-Prince, both for its environmental consequences and its health impacts, according to Le Nouvelliste. In a thesis defended on September 7, 2026, as part of his master's degree in public health at the Université Quisqueya, Dr. Henry Robert Duclair presented new elements aimed at improving understanding of the phenomenon. During his defense, Duclair set out an initial finding underscoring the relevance of the work. He noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value for lead in water is 10 µg/l, while the estimated average in Port-au-Prince is 65 µg/l — more than six times the recommended limit. The article indicates that a peak value was also recorded, though the full figure was not available in the accessible portion of the report. The reporting relies on the academic research presented at the university and does not detail the sampling methodology or the number of sites tested. Le Nouvelliste published the report in 2026. Further details on affected areas and potential mitigation measures were not immediately available in the source excerpt.