Marigondon school upholds lead safety

CEBU, Philippines -  Environmentalists from Asian and European countries witnessed the students of  Marigondon Elementary School in Lapu-Lapu City in raising an environmental campaign about childhood lead exposure and to promote a lead-safe school environment.

The EcoWaste Coalition and International POPs Elimination Network or IPEN is a global civil society network for a toxics-free future. POPs stands for Persistent Organic Pollutants. 

The environmental group advocates the elimination of lead in paints which are mostly used by children.

"We are here to increase awareness among students and teachers alike about childhood lead exposure and encourage precautionary action to prevent such environmental exposure," explained Jeiel Guarino of Policy and Communications Officer of the EcoWaste Coalition's Lead Paint Elimination Project.

Guarino informed the public, most especially to children and parents, that they should use water-based paints such as latex, acrylic and water color paint.

Lead is a chemical element in the carbon group that that turns into a dull grayish color if exposed to air and a shiny silver luster if melted in liquid. It is also considered as the heaviest non-radioactive element.

This kind of chemical is mostly found in colorful paints as well as in toys and school supplies that can cause serious health risk to the central nervous system, brain, blood system, the kidneys and the skeleton.

Martin Salmonsson, a Swedish Finance officer of the IPEN, said there are 10 representatives that came in MES to give support for their campaign.

He said they have come to Cebu for five-day Asian Lead Paint Elimination Project Workshop named "Switch Asia: Lead Elimination Project" which started June 9.

He said they have one representative in  United States; Asian representatives that came from Thailand, Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, as well the European countries of Sweden and Czech Republic.

The group joined the students on a symbolic palm printing by using lead-safe paints in expressing their unity and support with their goal in protecting all kids against childhood lead exposure.

Reynold Velos, School Principal of MES, supported the event and said "because we care for our children's health and future, all lead exposures should be avoided."

The Asian Lead Paint Elimination Project is a three-year-old project coordinated by IPEN being carried out in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Philippines.  (FREEMAN)