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Despite the country’s progress in banning lead in paint manufacturing, an environmental group on Sunday said a new study found the presence of the substance in some solvent-based decorative and industrial paints on sale.
Based on the report, Ecowaste Coalition said 20 out of 46 solvent-based paint samples (43 percent) contained lead concentrations above the 90 parts per million limit, which is prohibited under the Chemical Control Order of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in 2013.
The study, conducted from May to July, analyzed the lead content of 46 cans of solvent-based paints representing 27 brands produced by 22 manufacturers from various retail stores and online dealers in the Philippines.
It was jointly carried out by the EcoWaste Coalition and the International Pollutants Elimination Network and the results were released in time for the 11th International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (Oct. 22 to Oct. 28).
One of the key findings was that only 13 out of 46 paints provided information about lead on their labels.
“No precautionary warnings on the effects of lead dust on children and pregnant women were provided. Five lead-containing paints were falsely marked as ‘lead-free’ or ‘no lead,’ and one paint carried the Lead Safe Paint® logo, a registered trademark, without authorization from the certification body,” the Ecowaste Coalition said. INQ