Children at risk of lead poisoning from paint
Country's children who come in contact with paint are under great health risk as a study here showed that the lead used in paint is considerably high, making it a significant source of toxicity and poisoning.
Lead concentration in paint was found to be ranging up to 1.42 percent, about 2,367 times higher than the permitted level.
Lead exposure is a well-known source of injury to humans, particularly towards children and workers in lead industries. Lead toxicity is irreversible and its effects generally appear to persist into adolescence and adulthood, added the study.
Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO) in collaboration with IPEN-USA conducted the study on brand, non-brand and local paints in Bangladesh at Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) Lab.
Dr Hossain Shahriar, chairman of ESDO told the news agency that around 77 percent of the country's population is at great risk of lead poisoning.
The study revealed that children, particularly young ones ingest paint chips from flaking walls, windows and doors. It can also reach the soil and dust around a home, contaminating children's playgrounds.
According to Bangladesh Paints Manufacturer Association (BPMA), more than 35 large, medium and small paint industries, including a foreign company, Asian Paint, India, are operating in Bangladesh. The study covered decorative white, off-white, yellow, red, blue, green, violet, black, pink and other paints.
“The children can also come into contact with lead when they are used to paint interiors and exteriors of homes, toys, furniture, playground equipment and other articles,” said Dr Hossain.
“Renovation, repair and demolition activities actually increase the threat of lead paint exposure by dispersing lead dust particles in the air and over accessible household surfaces,” he said.
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