SILENT THREAT

• Lead affects the health of all population groups and, more specifically, children

– RAM CHARITRA SAH Nov 5, 2015- Children aged up to 14 years, who make up about 32 percent of Nepal’s total population, are at high risk of environmental and toxic chemical pollution in their homes, schools and playgrounds as shown by increasing blood lead levels (BLL) among school-going children in the country. Four consecutive studies conducted between 2010 and 2015 by the Centre for Public Health and Environmental Development (CEPHED), an NGO, on lead in decorative paints, especially oil-based enamel paints which are used to paint their homes, schools, furniture and toys, had found high levels of lead.
A high of 213,000 ppm (parts per million) of lead was detected in some popular brands of paint. Over 70 percent of all the paints produced, imported, marketed and used in Nepal have a much higher lead level than the internationally accepted standard of 90 ppm. Following the findings of these studies, the government of Nepal fixed the maximum permissible level at 90 ppm on June 20. This requires mass awareness and implementation and monitoring to produce effective results.For details, please see; http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2015-11-03/silent-threat.html