International Lead in Paint Week is held annually in October. In 2020, this week is announced from the 25th to 31st of October. It was assumed that this year, countries and companies around the world will eliminate lead in paint, one of the most dangerous chemicals for human health, in particular children.
However, expectations have not been met and the intended goal has not yet been achieved. Lead compounds are still found in paint, which is sold in most parts of the world, primarily causing serious harm to the health of children in developing countries.
Unfortunately, it was not possible to pass a law at the international level banning the use of lead paints. To date, only 77 (40%) countries have any restrictions on the use of lead in paint, and fewer than ten have set the Global Alliance recommended lead limits for industrial and domestic paints.
The International Pollutant Elimination Network (IPEN) and Occupational Knowledge International have tested thousands of paint samples in 59 countries (mostly developing). The IPEN website states that “many of these paints contain very high levels of lead in excess of 10 000 parts per million (ppm) (based on dry weight of the paint)”. The upper limit recommended by the Global Alliance is 90 ppm.
Armenia actively participates in the negotiation process of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to discuss a new technical regulation with a reduced lead content.
However, the process is slow, which is surprising.
AWHHE annually participates in the International Action Week, contributing to the advancement of this goal. This year we have implemented the following activities.
- Letters of appeal were sent to the relevant ministries with the presentation of the problem and ways to overcome it.
- Online seminars were held for the inhabitants of Kotayk Province. Information materials were provided to the participants of the seminar. The materials are posted on the websites of secondary schools.
- Three posters on lead paints of the World Health Organization were translated into Armenian and posted on www.awhhe.am.
- 1. Կապարով թունավորումների միջազգային շաբաթ
- 2. Կապարի ազդեցության ուղիները
- 3. Փաստ կապարը թունավոր է
- An information campaign was carried out for the inhabitants of 16 communities in 6 provinces: Shirak, Kotayk, Aragatsotn, Gegharquniq, Ararat and Armavir.
- Information about the international campaign against lead paints was posted on AWHHE’s website: www.awhhe.am and www.ecolur.org
November 02, 2020 at 17:24