Children under great risk of lead toxicity of paints

Country's children are under great health risk as paints containing lead toxicity can be a significant source of childhood lead exposure and poisoning, according to a study, reports BSS. The study found that the paints manufacturers are using a lead concentration in paints, ranging up to 1.42 per cent, which is about 2,367 times higher than the permitted level of lead. Chairman of Environ-ment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO) Dr Hossain Shahriar said around 77 per cent population of the country is under risk of lead poisoning. The ESDO in collaboration with IPEN-USA has conducted the study on brand, non brand and local paints in Bangladesh at Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) Lab. The study revealed that children, particularly younger ones also ingest lead paint chips from flaking walls, windows and doors. Lead from exterior house paint can flake off or leach into the soil and dust around a home, contaminating children's playground. According to Bangladesh Paints Manufacturers Association Lead toxicity is irreversible and its effects generally appear to persist into adolescence and adulthood to the health of children and to workers in the industries, he noted.