INDUSTRIAL PAINTS with high lead concentrations remain available on the market despite a phase-out of the products starting last year, a non-government organization (NGO) said.
“As some of the extremely leaded industrial paints found were produced during the phase-out period, we urge concerned manufacturers to initiate a systematic retrieval of such paints to stop their sale and use,” EcoWaste Coalition Chemical Safety Campaigner Thony Dizon said in a statement Monday, citing a study conducted by the coalition with Sweden’s International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) on 68 solvent-based industrial paints.
The study found that 21 bright-colored paints or 31% of the sample contained lead concentrations above the maximum limit of 90 parts per million (ppm) stipulated as the ceiling by Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order 2013-24.
Of the 21 paints, 13 contained extremely high levels of lead concentration at or above 10,000 ppm. The highest concentration was at 220,000 ppm detected in a yellow epoxy paint.
To address the problem of lead paint, the EcoWaste and IPEN recommended that the National Government review and strengthen their monitoring and enforcement measures and conducting random inspections, penalizing manufacturers and traders that continue to produce and sell such paints.
The two groups also for support from public health groups to eradicate lead paint and for consumers to seek out paints with compliant lead levels.
“While citing different reasons why lead was detected in their analyzed products, the companies signified their commitment to abide by the country’s lead paint regulation,” EcoWaste said.
Lead is toxic when used beyond the threshold 90 ppm, harming both public health and the environment. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago