Lead-free soon

AN ordinance for the use of lead safe paints in construction, maintenance and renovation projects and other activities in the city of Davao is set to pass on third and final reading today.

This ordinance will cover the procurement and use of certified lead safe paints, including enamels, glazes, lacquers, primers, stains, varnishes, and other surface coatings, for publicly-funded construction, mainteTHE nance and renovation projects and activities undertaken by the local government through its employees, contractors, and service providers, as well as partners from public and private sectors including the privatefunded construction.

Section 5 of the ordinances state that the prohibited acts include the manufacturing, distribution, and selling of paints containing lead above regulatory limit of 90 parts per million (ppm); procuring and purchasing paints that lack independent proof of compliance with the regulatory standard on lead in paint.

Also among the prohibited acts are donating and receiving paints without the necessary certificate of compliance with the lead paint regulation; using uncertified lead containing paints in decorating and constructing public and private facilities and amenities, including but not limited to schools, day care centers, children's parks and playgrounds, health centers, sports complexes, and covered multi-purpose courts, residential, commercial, industrial and institutional buildings.

Section 6 states that the persons liable for the commission of the prohib-

ited acts are: the distributor, manufacturer or seller of the paints; the one providing or purchasing the paint; the donor or receiver of the paints; or the one using lead-containing paints.

Violators of the ordinance shall face an administrative fine of five thousand pesos (P5,000) for first offense, an administrative fine of P5,000 and imprisonment of 30 days , or both at the discretion of the court, for the second offense, and an administrative fine of five P5,000 and imprisonment of six months, or both at the discretion of the court for third offense.

The City Engineer's Office shall lead in the strict implementation of the ordinance.

Meanwhile, a lead dust hazard prevention was also stated in Section 7 of the ordinance wherein the city employees, contractors and service providers shall take protective measures (prescribed and appropriate industrial mask) when surfaces previously coated with lead paint are disturbed during repair, remodelling or repainting activities in order to prevent and control the formation and dispersion of dangerous lead-containing chips and dust and reduce the risk of exposure to lead.

The ordinance was proposed by Davao City Councilor Pilar Braga, and co-proposed by Councilor Jimmy G. Dureza. KVC