NGO Toxics Link finds varied amount of lead in enamel paints

Thirty-two paint samples were analysed and varied levels of lead (15 ppm to 1,99,345 ppm) were observed in all tested samples. The prescribed limit is 90 PPM (parts per million).

A recent study by Delhi-based environmental NGO Toxics Link has found varied levels of lead in enamel paint samples collected from Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Jharkhand and Manipur.

Thirty-two paint samples were analysed and varied levels of lead (15 ppm to 1,99,345 ppm) were observed in all tested samples. The prescribed limit is 90 PPM (parts per million).

High level of lead was also detected in paints which were labelled as "no added lead".

The World Health Organization lists lead exposure as one of the top 10 environmental health threats globally. Lead paint, a major source of childhood lead exposure, can cause permanent and irreversible brain damage in children, the NGO said in a statement.

Lead exposure, from all sources, is also responsible for a higher percentage of adult mortality than previously thought. In alignment with the global actions to eliminate lead from paints, India has adopted the Regulation of Lead Contents in Household and decorative Paint Rules in 2016.

"Despite the implementation of the above rule since November 2017, Toxics Link study on lead in paints 2018 found high lead content in the paint samples manufactured by many small and medium paint producers in India," said Satish Sinha, Associate Director of Toxics Link.

The study observed very high lead content in the locally available brands which are mostly manufactured by small and medium enterprises.

The study also found that most of the retailers are not aware of the regulations and the consumers and the retailers are not aware of the lead in paints and the underlying health hazards.

"It is quite unfortunate that some of the paint samples though labelled as 'no added lead' were found to have the lead level more than 90 ppm," said Dr Prashant Rajankar, Programme Coordinator at Toxics Link.

"The government should set up a mechanism for enforcing the rules and push for raising awareness among the stakeholders to eliminate lead from paints in the country completely considering its impact on human health especially children's health," Piyush Mohapatra, Senior Programme Coordinator, Toxics Link, said.