Pure Earth

What Pure Earth does

Pure Earth is a New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (legally Pure Earth Blacksmith Institute Inc.), founded in 1999, that designs and implements evidence-based programs to reduce lead and mercury exposure for children and pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries. It operates through two core programs — the Global Lead Program and the Global Mercury Program — supported by an integrated 5-phase methodology (Reveal, Pinpoint, Reduce, Mobilize, Build) and a global network of nine country offices (Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, plus India and Kyrgyzstan program reach) staffed by more than 100 professionals.

Pure Earth's underlying technology stack centers on field-validated environmental and public health methodologies: blood lead level testing protocols, XRF-based consumer product screening, the Toxic Sites Identification Program (TSIP) database of nearly 5,000 contaminated sites with relative risk scoring, the Rapid Market Screening (RMS) methodology covering 25+ countries and 5,800+ samples, the Lumetallix Instant Lead Detection Kit (field assay), and an award-winning copper-plates technology for mercury capture from artisanal gold-mining tailings. The organization also operates the LeadPollution.org data platform and a public TSIP API for broader data access.

Pure Earth generates revenue almost entirely through philanthropic grants and donations from a concentrated set of major funders, including Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Audacious Project (TED), Open Philanthropy / LEAF ($17M committed), Takeda Pharmaceutical (~$7.1M), FFEM, UK FCDO, and the U.S. Department of State, supplemented by individual donations and modest commercial sales of the Lumetallix kit. Its go-to-market is a government-partnership model in which Pure Earth serves as implementing partner alongside multilateral bodies (WHO, UNICEF, CDC Foundation) and local ministries of health and environment across 50+ countries, having completed 339 projects to date.

Name

Pure Earth

Legal name

Pure Earth Blacksmith Institute Inc.

Website

https://pureearth.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pure Earth is a New York-based nonprofit that partners with governments in 50+ low- and middle-income countries to implement evidence-based lead and mercury pollution reduction programs, supported by a global database of nearly 5,000 toxic sites and funded primarily through major philanthropic grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Health Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Remediation Services (562910), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Radiological & Hazardous Materials Monitoring (Radiation, Asbestos, Lead) (EUAHACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Methodology Development & Standard-Setting Support (Protocols, Tools, Updates) (EUABACAN), Environmental Monitoring, Data & Reporting (Air/Water/Soil) (BPAIAMAC), Lead-Based Paint Abatement & Lead Hazard Control (BPALALAB)

Keywords

• Lead poisoning prevention
• Mercury pollution reduction
• Environmental health services
• Toxic site remediation
• Artisanal gold mining

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Grants and Donations: Pure Earth operates as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 13-4075779) that generates revenue primarily through grants from major philanthropies, development organizations, and individual donations. Major funders include Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Audacious Project (TED), Open Philanthropy, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, and various government aid agencies. The organization also accepts donations from individuals through its website.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Pure Earth implements evidence-based programs to identify, assess, and remediate lead and mercury pollution in low- and middle-income countries. The organization partners directly with government ministries to conduct national blood lead surveys, pinpoint exposure sources, deploy targeted interventions, and build durable public health systems, operating two core programs (Global Lead Program and Global Mercury Program) across 50+ countries.

Product overview

Pure Earth is a global public health organization that implements evidence-based solutions to prevent lead and mercury exposure in low- and middle-income countries. The organization operates two core programs: the Global Lead Program (using a 5-phase approach of Reveal, Pinpoint, Reduce, Mobilize, and Build Systems) and the Global Mercury Program (focused on artisanal gold mining). Key products include the Toxic Sites Identification Program (TSIP) database of nearly 5,000 contaminated sites, the Rapid Market Screening Program, Lumetallix lead detection kits, Mined Without Mercury training, and the LeadPollution.org data platform. Pure Earth also operates country-specific initiatives across 9 offices worldwide and offers the Opportunity Fund grant program for local lead poisoning prevention projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Global Lead Program Evidence-based solutions to reduce and prevent lead exposure in low- and middle-income countries through a 5-phase approach covering blood lead surveys, source identification, exposure reduction, mobilization of political will, and durable system building. Targets governments in 50+ countries.
• Global Mercury Program Program focused on decreasing mercury emissions from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), including mercury-free mining training, tailings management, contaminated site restoration, and jewelry industry engagement.
• Toxic Sites Identification Program (TSIP) The largest global database of contaminated toxic sites, identifying nearly 5,000 sites in over 50 countries. Provides decision-makers with location, source, and impact data using a relative risk scoring system (0-10). Public API access available via contaminatedsites.org.
• Rapid Market Screening (RMS) Program Assessment program analyzing lead contamination in consumer products (metallic and ceramic foodware, paints, toys, cosmetics) across 25 low- and middle-income countries. Analyzed over 5,800 samples, finding 18% exceeded reference lead levels.
• Lumetallix Instant Lead Detection Kit Rapid field testing kit for instant lead detection in various samples. Available for purchase through Pure Earth's Innovation Lab section of the website, targeting researchers, public health workers, and consumers.
• Mined Without Mercury Training Training program for artisanal and small-scale gold miners in safe and profitable mercury-free mining techniques, including community workshops and technology transfer. Over 1,500 miners trained to date.
• CREA (Online Resource for Lead-Free Pottery Techniques) Online resource developed by Pure Earth Mexico to help traditional potters transition to lead-free pottery techniques while preserving cultural heritage and economic livelihoods.
• LeadPollution.org Global platform linking lead exposure data with evidence-based solutions. Part of the Lead Exposure and Action Data Hub (LEAD Hub) initiative designed to sustain and accelerate progress beyond direct country engagement.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% reduction in lead-contaminated spices following intervention in Georgia
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vital StrategiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementation partner for Strengthening Health Systems to Reduce Lead Exposure project, collaborating on health surveillance and institutional strengthening activities.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-published 'The Toxic Truth Report' (2020) with Pure Earth revealing that lead poisoning affects children on a massive scale. Ongoing collaboration on national BLL surveys and health surveillance.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementing partner in Bloomberg Philanthropies Lead Poisoning Prevention Initiative. WHO provides normative guidance and global health leadership on lead poisoning prevention.
• CDC FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementing partner in Bloomberg Philanthropies Lead Poisoning Prevention Initiative, providing technical expertise on health surveillance and epidemiology.
• Lead Exposure Elimination ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementing partner in Bloomberg Philanthropies Lead Poisoning Prevention Initiative, focused on lead exposure elimination efforts.
• Resolve to Save LivescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementing partner in Bloomberg Philanthropies Lead Poisoning Prevention Initiative, contributing to global health efforts.
• Brilliant EarthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewelry company providing grant to support female-led artisanal mining concession in Madre de Dios, Peru, enabling first Ecological Fairmined certified mining concession in the region. Increased Fairmined gold purchases by 27%.
• Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Pure Earth Peru to achieve first Fairmined certification for mining communities in the Peruvian Amazon.
• Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization working on sustainability in the jewelry industry. Secretary General Iris Van der Veken received Pure Earth's Impact Award.
• Responsible Jewellery CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry organization helping pave the way to mercury-free gold supply for the jewelry industry through partnerships with Pure Earth.
• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-funder of SMEP project on used lead-acid battery recycling policy in Bangladesh.
• icddr,b (Bangladesh)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational health research institution collaborated on testing 500 pregnant women and 898 children in Bangladesh.
• Stanford UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner collaborating on blood lead testing research in Bangladesh.
• Ghana Health ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment health agency partnered on blood lead testing of approximately 3,000 children across Ghana.
• Ghana Standards AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment standards body collaborated on testing and consumer product screening for lead contamination.
• Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (Philippines)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment research institute partnered on national BLL survey of children and pregnant women in 25 sites.
• Faculty of Medicine at University of IndonesiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for blood lead testing of children and adults in lead-affected areas of Indonesia.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• UNICEF: UNICEF is a comparable global organization that co-published 'The Toxic Truth Report' with Pure Earth on lead poisoning in children and collaborates on national BLL surveys and health surveillance. While broader in mission, UNICEF's environmental health work directly overlaps Pure Earth's lead exposure programs.
• World Health Organization (WHO): WHO provides normative guidance on lead poisoning prevention and is an implementing partner with Pure Earth in the Bloomberg Philanthropies Lead Poisoning Prevention Initiative. Comparable as a global public health authority addressing environmental determinants of disease in LMICs.

Direct peers

• Environmental Defense Fund: Environmental Defense Fund is a major environmental NGO that works on pollution prevention, mercury advocacy, and global health-environment intersections. Comparable as a science-driven nonprofit addressing toxic pollution with government and corporate engagement.
• Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): NRDC is a large environmental advocacy and science organization working on pollution, toxics, and public health policy globally. Comparable as an environmental health-focused nonprofit combining scientific evidence with policy advocacy and government engagement.
• IPEN (International Pollutants Elimination Network): IPEN is a global network of NGOs working to eliminate hazardous pollutants including lead and mercury. Comparable as a multi-country environmental health network operating in LMICs with scientific and policy capabilities focused on toxic pollution.
• Zero Mercury Working Group: Zero Mercury Working Group is an international coalition focused on eliminating mercury pollution globally, including from artisanal gold mining. Directly comparable to Pure Earth's Global Mercury Program mission and Minamata Convention advocacy work.
• Earthworks: Earthworks is a nonprofit focused on mining impacts including mercury contamination from artisanal and small-scale gold mining. Comparable as a nonprofit working on ASGM mercury issues, though with a more US-focused advocacy orientation.
• Toxic-Free Future: Toxic-Free Future is a nonprofit working to eliminate toxic chemicals including lead from consumer products. Comparable as an environmental health nonprofit focused on toxic substance reduction in products and supply chains.
• Vital Strategies: Vital Strategies is a global health nonprofit that partners with Pure Earth as an implementing partner on the Bloomberg Lead Poisoning Prevention Initiative. Comparable as a public health-focused organization working with governments on environmental health surveillance and policy implementation in LMICs.
• Resolve to Save Lives: Resolve to Save Lives is a global public health organization implementing partner alongside Pure Earth in the Bloomberg Lead Poisoning Prevention Initiative. Comparable as a results-driven public health nonprofit executing country-level programs with measurable health outcomes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PureEarthNow
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/pureearthnow
• Facebookfacebook.com/PureEarthNow
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blacksmith-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/pureearthnow
• TikToktiktok.com/@pureearthnow

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pure Earth