adminTanaka Mahanya
THE University of Zimbabwe and Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP) have conducted a survey revealing that 70 percent of oil-based paints in Zimbabwe contain dangerous levels of lead.
This poses a significant health threat, especially to children.
Children are most vulnerable and may develop developmental delays, learning disabilities and other health problems.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative for Zimbabwe, Jean-Marie Dangou, recommends that countries should review their paint production processes and reduce lead content below the recommended limit set by WHO.
As of September 30, 2018, only 36 percent of countries had legally binding controls on the manufacture, importation, trade and usage of lead paints, with six of these countries being in Africa.
Some of the countries are Algeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania.
There are no laws which prohibit the use of lead paint in Zimbabwe.
“The WHO urges countries to review their paint production processes with the aim of reducing lead content below the recommended limit set by WHO.
“It is crucial that we take intentional steps to protect our children from the devastating effects of lead poisoning,” he said.
Environmental Management Agency environmental laboratory manager, Sylvia Yomisi, said the data collected in the study is a valuable resource for addressing the issue of lead paint in the country.
“I encourage industry partners to take advantage of available support to transition to lead-free paint manufacturing,” she said.
Online Reporter