Human Chain observing “International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action 2019” GAELP Week
Dhaka, 26th October, 2019: Dust from lead paint is still the number one source of childhood lead poisoning. So focusing this on the event of International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week-2019 under the theme of ‘Learn the Risk, Join the Action, Eliminate Lead Paint’ a human chain was formed in front of National Press Club on Saturday at 10:0 am to ban lead containing paints globally.
This year, as always, ESDO is celebrating International Led Poisoning Prevention Week in Bangladesh. All the team members of ESDO, Girls’ Guide and other volunteers from Daffodil University joined the human chain with different placards, festoon etc. and urged their voice to ban the lead containing paints in Bangladesh. There is wide recognition of the harmful effects of lead and many countries have taken action, exposure to lead, particularly in childhood, remains of key concern to health care providers and public health officials worldwide. An important source of domestic lead exposure, particularly in children, is paint containing high levels of lead. Since 2009, more than 100 studies have shown that lead paints are still widely sold in low- and middle-income countries. Children around the world today are at risk of exposure to lead from multiple sources. Lead poisoning accounts for about 0.6% of the global burden of disease (WHO, 2009). In Bangladesh ESDO has been working for a specific regulation of lead free paint and thus, has been conducting policy advocacy since 2010. In line with this ESDO has conducted study, paint sample analyses, awareness campaign and ultimately prepared a draft regulatory frame work and submitted it to Department of Environment (DoE). ESDO look forward to achieve a toxic free future through a complete regulation on lead paint in Bangladesh.
About ESDO: ESDO has been working since 2008 from awareness raising activities to policy advocacy on the issue of ‘Ban Lead Paint’ in Bangladesh. ESDO worked with the aid of European Union with IPEN-SWITCH Asia Lead Paint Elimination Project to minimize and eliminate the manufacture, import, sale and use of lead on decorative paints in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has established a 90 ppm lead limit for decorative paints adopted by Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institutions (BSTI) as a result of ESDO’s continuous advocacy.
