Group lauds efforts to eliminate paint with lead

CEBU, Philippines – A group promoting chemical safety and zero-waste has lauded parallel moves in the local and international level to eliminate lead-containing paint, a preventable source of childhood lead exposure.

In line with International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action, which starts today until the 31st, the EcoWaste Coalition recalled the recent decision by the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) affirming the global consensus to eliminate lead paint by 2020.

ICCM is the implementing body of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

 “Fortunately, our country,  through a fruitful collaboration involving the government, the paint industry and the civil society,  has adopted a regulatory framework that will eventually phase out lead in paint in tune with the global consensus to  get rid of such paints,” said Aileen Lucero, the coalition’s  coordinator in a statement.

A groundbreaking Chemical Control Order for Lead and Lead Compounds issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources  in December 2013 puts a threshold limit for lead in paint at 90 parts per million (ppm). 

It further establishes a phase-out deadline for leaded decorative paints by 2016 and by 2019.

The said policy also bans the use of lead in the production of toys, school supplies, cosmetics, water pipes and food and beverage packaging, and reiterates the ban on lead in fuel additives under the Clean Air Act.

Lucero duly noted the strategic role being played by the Philippine Association of Paint Manufacturers (PAPM) to promote awareness and compliance with the CCO among its members.

“Our partnership with the PAPM and its members is one for the books and we hope this constructive relationship to grow as we seek and monitor full industrial compliance to the phase-out targets,” she said.

To date, paint companies with majority market share have completed their transition to non-lead paint production, while other companies pursue their switch in line with the CCO. 

 “We’ll also reach out to companies outside the paint industry association to ensure a level playing field where all paint companies stick to the rules,” she said. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers lead as one of the “ten chemicals of major public health concern,” warning that “there is no safe level of exposure to lead.”

Children are most likely to be exposed to lead from ingestion of flakes and dust from decaying lead-based paint, according to WHO, affecting the brain development and their measurable level of intelligence.

Childhood lead exposure is estimated to contribute to 600, 000 new cases of children with intellectual disabilities. —/ATO (FREEMAN)