A7 Govt lauded for phasing out leaded ADH paints

BY NEIL A. ALCOBER

sized enterprises, to find suitable replacements to lead used to enhance color, make drying faster or reduce corrosion on metal surfaces.

“The phase-out of leaded paints is good news for our children’s brains as childhood lead exposure is known to harm the brain, causing reduced intelligence and mental retardation,” Ines Fernandez, Founder of Arugaan, a mother-led movement promoting breastfeeding and child and maternal health, said.

“Replacing lead additives in the production of paints with safe alternatives will minimize occupational exposures to lead. Workers in paint manufacturing, construction, painting, renovation, demolition and toxic-free working environment that is safe from lead and other hazardous substances,” Allan Tanjusay, spokesman for Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), said.

Eliminating lead paint now is more cost-effective than remediating leadcontaminated homes, schools and other facilities used by children later, the groups said.

In the United States, according to an estimate by the Environmental Protection Agency, the costs for lead paint abatement range from $8 to $15 per square foot, and a typical house will require a minimum of $10,000 to treat.

Above all, removing lead in paint will prevent dust and soil from being contaminated by lead from chipping or deteriorating lead painted surfaces that can be ingested or inhaled by children, the groups said.

Lead, according to the WHO, is especially dangerous to children’s developing brains, and causes reduced intelligence quotient (IQ) and attention span, impaired learning ability and increased risk of behavioral problems.

“Lead paint is a serious threat to the long-term health of our children. The WHO calls on all countries to phase out lead paints by 2020 to protect the health of this and future generations,” Dr. Maria Neira, Director of the Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health for the WHO, said.

To encourage further industry compliance with the phase-out of lead paints, the EcoWaste Coalition on Monday will mark the country’s achievements so far in removing lead in AHD paints.

- ings of its latest study in collaboration with IPEN (a global nongovernment organization network for a toxics-free future) showing of leaded solvent-based AHD paints sold in the market.