Dhaka, Bangladesh; Household enamel paints in Bangladesh contain high levels of lead, according to a new study released on October 26, 2013. The study also found that while some brands of paints have lowered lead concentrations since the last paint analysis was conducted by the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) in 2010. In the report launching ceremony Bangladesh Paint Manufacturers Association has express their commitment to phase-out lead paint production. They demanded ban on import and sell of lead pigment.
The study unfold that the average
concentration of lead in the analyzed paints was 11,900 parts per million (ppm). Lead concentrations above 10,000 ppm
were found is 28% of the paint samples analyzed. The highest concentration detected was 1,23,000
ppm which is almost 1,300 times more than the recommended 90 ppm US EPA limit.
Total 29 % of paint samples are below 90 ppm lead concentration.
ESDO formally released this report
title “Lead in Enamel Household Paints of Bangladesh” in a launching ceremony
at WVA auditorium, Dhaka. Former Secretary and
ESDO Chairperson Syed Marghub Murshed presided the ceremony. Dr. Nurul Quadir, Joint Secretary Ministry of
Environment and Forest-MoEF formally released the report as Chief Guest. Report was presented by Dr. Shahriar Hossain,
Secretary General of ESDO. On the discussion session Additional Chief Engineer
DPHE Dewan Naquib Ahsan, Rupali
Chowdhury, President of Bangladesh Paint Manufacturer Association (BPMA),
Upcoming President, Mr. B.B. Saha Roy & General Secretary Engineer Abdur
Rahman, has taken part.
Report describes, painted surfaces
deteriorate with time and when disturbed; lead from the paint then contaminates
household dust and soils surrounding the home. Children ingest lead from dusts
and soils during normal hand to mouth behavior. Damage to children’s
intelligence and mental development occurs, even when there are no obvious or
clinical signs of lead poisoning. According to Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention of US, “No safe blood lead level (BLL) in children has been
identified”.[i]
A recent study investigating the economic impact of childhood lead exposure on
national economies estimated a total cumulative lose of $977 billion US dollars
per year for all low and middle income countries, and $700 billion loss in Asia.[ii]
Session chair Syed Marghub Murshed
said “Many paint manufacturers in Bangladesh support our initiative
towards lead free paint, but without legislation action is limited and children
remain at risk from lead exposure”.
Chief guest Dr. Nurul Quadir
congratulating ESDO’s initiatives and express government concern on
environmental and health safety, he inform that government has taken this issue
seriously and moving forward for a regulation.
Rupali Chowdhury, President of BPMA
expressed their support to ESDO’s initiatives for Lead free Paint in Bangladesh. She
also demanded to ban import and sell of lead pigment to strengthen the
initiatives.
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