On 26th of October Bio Vision Africa joined the rest of the world to commemorate the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week which happens from 24th to 30th October 2021. This day is commemorated by WHO, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), governments, civil society organizations, health partners, industry and others. This year’s global theme for the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is “Working together for a world without lead paint”.
The week is used to raise awareness and promote actions to address the human health effects of lead exposure, especially for children. During the week, governments, academia, industry and civil society promote efforts to prevent childhood lead poisoning, and specifically laws to eliminate lead in paint. While many countries have long-established bans on lead paint, it is still legal in Uganda to sell lead paint for use in homes, schools and other buildings. As we commemorate this year’s International Lead Poisoning week of Action (ILPWA) we are happy to announce that South Africa has just announced a total ban on the use of lead in paints in the country. Therefore, we are call upon our government to take such a decision for the good of the health of our children and indeed the health of the people of Uganda.
As you are all aware, Goal 3 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals calls upon governments to Ensure Healthy Lives and Promote Well-Being for All at All Ages. In addition, Goal 12 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals calls upon governments to Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns as one of the core principles of Sustainable Development. Indeed, good health is important for all ages including the health of our children so is Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns. We all know how important it is to be in good health. We also remember that this year we are not only acting against lead but we are also calling for a combined effort against COVID-19
Lead paint is a major source of childhood lead exposure. Civil Society has previously carried out studies to assess the levels of lead in paint that is produced in Uganda. The term Lead paint is used to describe any paint to which one or more lead compounds have been added. The cut-off concentration for lead paint used in the report is 90 parts per million (ppm, dry weight of paint), the strictest legal limit enacted in the world today.
Key facts
- Lead is a cumulative intoxicant that affects multiple body systems and is particularly harmful to young children
- Lead in the body is distributed to the brain, liver, kidney and bones. It is stored in the teeth and bones, where it accumulates over time. Human exposure is usually assessed through the measurement of lead in blood
- Lead in bone is released into blood during pregnancy and becomes a source of exposure to the developing fetus
- There is no level of exposure to lead that is known to be without harmful effects
- Lead exposure is preventable
People can become exposed to lead through occupational and environmental sources. This mainly results from:
- Inhalation of lead particles generated by burning materials containing lead, for example during smelting, recycling, stripping leaded paint and using leaded aviation fuel
- Ingestion of lead-contaminated dust, water (from leaded pipes) and food (from lead-glazed or lead-soldered containers)
As we commemorate this year’s International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action (ILPPWA) we are happy to announce that South Africa has just announced a total ban on the use of lead in paint in the country. Therefore, we call upon our government to take such a decision for the good of the health of our children and indeed for the health of the people of Uganda.
To address the problem of lead in paint, Bio Vision Africa and WEMECO therefore propose the following recommendations:
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to move faster in drafting and consequently in developing legislation and the necessary regulations that will ban the manufacture, import, export, distribution, sale and use of paints that contain total lead concentrations exceeding 90 ppm, the most restrictive standard in the world. They should also require paint companies to display sufficient information indicating toxic content on paint can labels and provide a warning on possible lead dust hazards when distributing painted surfaces. The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) should routinely carry out assessment of lead paint from different outlets and factories.
Paint companies that still produce lead paints to expeditiously stop the use of leaded paint ingredients in paint formulations. Paint companies that have shifted to non-lead paint production should get their products certified through independent, third party verification procedures to increase the customer’s ability to choose paints with no added lead. Paint consumers to demand for paints with no added lead from paint manufacturers, as well as full disclosure of a paint product’s content. Household and institutional consumers should ask for, consciously buy, and apply only paints with no added lead in places frequently used by children such as homes, schools, day care centers, parks and playgrounds. Public health groups, consumer organizations and all other concerned entities to support the elimination of lead paint, and conduct activities to inform and protect children from lead exposure through lead paint, lead in dust and soil, and other sources of lead.
Bio Vision Africa and WEMECO call upon all stakeholders to come together and unite in promoting a strong policy that will eliminate lead paint in Uganda. Finally, Bio Vision Africa and WEMECO calls upon all paint companies that still produce lead paints to expeditiously stop the use of leaded paint ingredients in paint formulations. We propose the certification of paint companies that have shifted to non-lead paint production through independent, third party verification procedures to increase the customer’s ability to choose paints with no added lead.
Bio Vision Africa recognizes the fact that some states within the East African Community (EAC) have taken individual efforts to introduce regulations that ban the manufacture, importation/exportation, and Use/consumption of plastic carrier bags. Rwanda began its efforts in 2008 and has had the most successful outcome within the EAC. Kenya followed in 2017 and Tanzania in 2019. Despite the bans on single-use plastic carrier bags, the case studies in each of the EAC countries have shown that the bans have created spaces for cross-border smuggling of these plastic bags. The illicit trade aims to serve the consumer market that is still unclear regarding the alternatives, despite several being available, including traditional African ones.
The investigative report on illegal manufacture, distribution and trade in Single-Use Plastic items for Eastern Africa recommends several actions to curb this illicit trade and the growing problem caused by single-use plastic carrier bags within the EAC region. Noting that plastic pollution is a global problem that requires immediate action on a global scale, at the East African level the report recommends that the states have to:
- Strengthen and formulate policies & regulations to govern manufacture, importation/exportation, distribution and trade in Single-use plastic items
- Strengthen enforcement and implementing agencies to effectively perform
- Increase awareness and sensitization of the general public about available reusable alternatives
- Increase stakeholder engagements and collaboration in decision-making at all levels
- Support the development of a binding treaty
- Enter into regional and global cooperation to address the current plastic pollution
A commonly held argument regarding breaking-away from plastics is that without regional and international collaboration, the fight against single-use plastic items will not be an easy feat to handle. We, therefore, need concerted effort by all to put an end to the manufacture, distribution trade and use of Single-use plastics, starting with plastic carrier bags across the East African region.
