Key Findings

compared with 31 brands in 2013.

levels above 10,000 ppm in 2015, compared to 27 brands (61 per cent of the brands) in 2013.

international market. in the 2013 study. – A total 36 out of 39 white paints (92 per cent) contained lead levels above 90 ppm, compared to 39 (100 per cent) of the paints in 2013. All three dark-coloured paints (mint green and ox blue) had lead levels above 90 ppm in both 2015 and 2013 studies. – Average lead concentration in yellow paints has increased in 2015, indicating the use of leadcontaining raw materials. In white colour the lead concentration has decreased in 2015, indicating use of lead-free drier. – Only five brands produced by SMEs were found to contain lead levels less than 90 ppm.

– the age group most easily harmed by exposure to lead.

While lead exposure is also harmful to adults, lead exposure harms children at much lower levels, and the health effects are generally irreversible and can have a lifelong impact. The younger the child, the more harmful lead can be, and children with nutritional deficiencies absorb ingested lead at an increased rate.

In recent years, medical researchers have been documenting significant health impacts on children from lower and lower levels of lead exposure. According to WHO, there is no known safe level of exposure to lead. When a young child is exposed to lead, the harm to their nervous system makes it more likely that the child will have difficulties in school and engage in impulsive and violent behaviour. Lead exposure in young children is also linked to increased rates of hyperactivity, inattentiveness, failure to graduate from high school, conduct disorder, juvenile delinquency, drug use, and incarceration. Lead-exposure impacts on children continue throughout life and have a longterm impact on a child’s work performance.