EcoWaste finds more spray paints with high lead content

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MANILA, Philippines — Environmental and toxic watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition revealed on Wednesday that it had detected more variants of spray paint from China with lead content above the regulatory limit.

These spray paints poses a threat to young children, particularly to the development of their brain and nervous system.

READ: EcoWaste finds 5 more non-compliant lead paints despite ban

Citing the World Health Organization (WHO), EcoWaste said lead is among the 10 chemicals or groups of chemicals of major public health concern.

18 variants

EcoWaste said it discovered four more variants of  Yandy Spray Paint, which brings the total to 18.

“To date, Yandy Spray Paint, which has no labeling information about its manufacturer or local distributor, has the most number of non-compliant paints sold locally with lead concentrations exceeding 90 parts per million (ppm) — the strict maximum limit for lead in paints under the DENR-issued Chemical Control Order (CCO) for lead and lead compounds,” the group explained in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Upon screening the four variants, EcoWaste discovered that all of them contained lead up to 2,759 ppm. However, the group said they would still submit the products to a private laboratory for confirmatory tests.

In 2020, the confirmatory laboratory analysis of the first 14 variants showed over 10,000 ppm lead.

In line with this, the group warned the public of lead’s hazardous effects, especially when exposed to pregnant women.

READ: EcoWaste warns public against using paint containing lead

Long-term harm in adults

“It also causes long-term harm in adults, including increased risk of high blood pressure and kidney damage. Exposure of pregnant women to high levels of lead can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and low birth weight. There is no permissible level of exposure to lead that is known to be without harmful effects,” the groups said, quoting WHO.

EcoWaste likewise urged manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers “to only make and sell paints that are safe from lead as an ingredient or contaminant.”

It also called on the government authorities to strictly enforce the ban on lead-containing products. — Ana Mae Malate, INQUIRER.net intern