Move to ban paints with lead content

Taking a serious note of the health hazards posed by lethal paints laden with lead, particularly to children, the global community has resolved to eliminate the noxious element from paints worldwide.

A resolution in this regard was adopted by the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS), a body formed by United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

The IFCS, which held its VI session at Dakar in Senegal, deliberated on issues in the area of sound management of chemicals.

"The resolution could prove to be an important milestone in the annals of chemical safety and management.

"It could result in setting up international standard for lead and eventual elimination of the element from paints which is deadly for children’s health, particularly the nervous system," said Ravi Agarwal, director of Toxic Link, an NGO which had moved the proposal.

"Noteworthy is the fact that the developed world had long ago replaced lead from paints with easily available lead-free alternatives such as titanium dioxide. Only a global effort can phase out the toxic element from paints in developing countries like India," he said.

The move would also pave way for the country to frame specific regulations, which at present are not adequate, Agarwal added.

Last year, Toxics Link had conducted a study on levels of lead found in various brands of paints available in India for household use and claimed to have found high concentrations of lead exceeding the globally accepted standards in all popular brands of paints, except for one.

(via Times of India)