Global Study to Determine Lead in New Decorative Paints in 10 Countries

In 2008 IPEN partnered with the Indian organization Toxics Link , to conduct global sampling of lead in paint with organisations in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. Ten countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America were involved. The study showed that, with a few exceptions, all plastic paint samples had low lead concentrations, and the majority of enamel paint samples had lead concentrations higher than regulatory levels of 90ppm (US, China) or 600ppm (Singapore). Lead concentrations in paints ranged from 0.6 ppm to 505,716 ppm.

Alternatives to lead in paints do exist and cleaner substitutes for lead based pigments, such as titanium dioxide, have been in use for some time now. Yet, there is still a general lack of awareness on the issue of lead and an absence of mandatory standards for lead in paints.