Study of Lead in Paints in Nepal

Abstract

Executive Summary: Use of lead is worldwide and is continuously used in different brand and types of decorative and industrial paints. Paint is also an important source of lead exposure, and most vulnerable group is children of 0-6 age group. A study conducted by Toxics Link, India, to determine lead in decorative paints in ten countries, results the high content of lead in paints of our neighboring countries such as India and Sri Lanka, it has been felt necessary to test the level of lead content in the decorative paints available in Nepalese market. This is done in order to initiate campaign to phase out lead from paint as well as raise awareness among the people and other end users about lead menace and its adverse impact on human health. A total of 24 paint samples of different international, multinational and national brands of different types, such as distemper, emulsion, enamel, varnish and touch wood were collected from Nepalese markets and prepared glass slides for drying the paint. Dried sample were sent to the laboratory for lead analysis. The laboratory analysis results showed the presence of lead in all samples in varying concentration. The range of lead concentration was varies from 3.98 ppm to 73966.4 ppm The average lead concentration in all 24 paint samples was found to be 6574.71 ppm which is about 73 times higher than the US standard i.e., 90 ppm for lead in paint. Both distemper samples contained least amount of lead. All seven emulsion paints sample contained less quantity of lead. The average lead content of all emulsion samples was 10.81 ppm. Total 84.6 percent (11 out of 13) of enamel paint sample were found to be contained high amount of lead which was ranges from 5.49 ppm to 73966.4 ppm. This is about 822 times higher than US standard i.e., 90 ppm for lead in paints. The average lead content of all 13 enamel sample was 12113.92 ppm which is about 134.6 times higher than the US standard of 90 ppm for lead in paints. All NS marked paints found very high level of lead. Lead in NS marked Enamel paints ranges from 2070.99 ppm (23 times higher than standard) to 73966.4 ppm (822 times higher than US standard). The average value of lead on NS marked enamel paint samples was 14345.54 ppm which is 159.4 times higher than US standard of 90 ppm for lead in paints. The study is indicative of the fact that Nepal is still a thriving ground for paint industry to dump leaded paints. International brands such as Berger and Asian Paints still take refuge in the lax lead standards as shown by high amount of lead present in their enamel brands. Other enamel brands such as Sangrila, Gauri, Shawallow, Nepal Shalimar and Always also showed quite high (~ 1800 ppm to over 55,000 ppm) amount of lead. The only solace though is that Nerolac across types of paints exhibit lead content much below the international threshold standard. However, the overall results are alarming as about half of the samples tested exhibited quite high amount of lead in them in comparison to the best possible standards (90ppm, CPSC, USA). The serious issue is brands like Berger, Asian Paints and other brands sell readily in the market and thus posing health threat to a large number of residents, especially children in Nepal. It is therefore urgent that Government of Nepal thinks about regulating deadly lead in decorative paints and making the enforcement much stricter. By that time, it is imperative for the paint industries to be responsible and call back leaded paints and impose voluntary moratorium on using lead in their products in future. The study is also indicative and it is recommended that regulatory authorities and policy makers jointly ascertain the lead levels in other products of direct household utility and improve standards. The ultimate aim is to phase out lead from every possible product in close vicinity of us citizens and progress towards chemically safer regime.