Environmental activists yesterday demanded a ban on lead paint in Bangladesh by 2017 and urged the government to take immediate steps to introduce a national standard for lead concentration in paints.
Pointing out the effect of lead on child health and the environment, they also demanded that 50ppm should be set as a standard for lead content in paints.
The call came during a rally organised by Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO) in association with global NGO network IPEN and Asian Paints Bangladesh Limited to observe the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (GAELP) Week 2016 which started on October 23 and will end today. A mobile campaign was also organised on this occasion.
The goal of the campaign is to create mass awareness on the harmful effects of lead particularly on child health (0-6 years old) and pregnant mothers, and regulation of lead content in paints.
The International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN) is a global network of over 700 public interest non-governmental organisations from more than 100 countries united in support of the common goal of a “toxics-free future for all.” POPs refers to Persistent Organic Pollutants.
At the rally, ESDO Chairperson Syed Margub Murshed said: “It is essential for our society to respond to this global challenge and make the phase out of lead in paint as a top public health priority. We must act with urgency as the health of our children can be permanently and irreversibly damaged even at very low exposure to lead.”
Many developing countries have already banned paints containing lead. Countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal, Philippines, India and Thailand have also set 90ppm as a standard for lead in paints and published their gazettes.
However, a national standard regarding lead in paints in Bangladesh is yet to be introduced. The mass population is even unaware of the exposure routes and how lead affects health.
AKM Mohibullah, general manager of Elite Paint and Chemical Industries Ltd and executive board member of Bangladesh Paint Manufacturers Association (BPMA), said: “We are always with ESDO and will always support them in the movement of banning lead paint. We also urge the government for enacting legislation against lead in paint by 2017.”
Thursday, April 25, 2024
