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Much needs to be done to address lead poisoning in Sri Lanka: CEJ
View(s):By Tharushi Weerasinghe
Lead is a heavy metal known for its toxicity, states the World Health Organisation (WHO), adding that lead exposure leads to 21.7 million years lost to disability and death worldwide.
About one million people die from lead poisoning worldwide, with countless others, including children, suffering from various lead-related health issues. According to UNICEF, one in three children has blood lead levels exceeding 5µg/dl, which can result in neurological problems, lower IQ, impaired learning, and health complications such as anaemia, hypertension, immunotoxicity, and reproductive organ toxicity.
The WHO, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme, observes the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action annually in the last week of October. In 2023, it runs from October 22 to 28, marking the 11th year of this initiative launched in 2013. Its goal is to raise awareness among the public, governments, businesses, and stakeholders about lead exposure sources and preventive measures.
Within Sri Lanka, potential sources of lead exposure include lead in solvent-based paints, lead-contaminated plastic or rubber toys, lead-painted toys, porcelain products, school equipment, beauty products, and the recycling of lead-acid and car batteries, along with other electronic waste (e-waste).
“Compared to many countries, Sri Lanka has good control over lead content in paint by having most paints in the market below the WHO recommended standard of 90 ppm,” Centre for Environmental Justice Executive Director Dilena Pathragoda said. The achievement was largely owing to long-term research, advocacy, and awareness carried out by the CEJ, he said.
“But, on the other hand, there are on the market several paint types, such as board paint, fabric paint, wood paint, and roofing paint, that are not necessarily included in the legal categorisation of paints. Therefore, we recommend their recognition in the law,” he said.
Nevertheless, lead poisoning in the occupational environment remains a serious concern in Sri Lanka, the CEJ chief said. At risk of lead exposure are informal sector workers involved in lead acid battery manufacturing, recycling, electronic waste handling, demolition, renovation, automobile/radiator repair, plastic/glass manufacturing, iron/steel working, welding/soldering, road construction, lead smelting, propeller engine maintenance, and aircraft maintenance. To mitigate lead poisoning, legal provisions and systematic implementation processes must be established for these workplaces.
CEJ’s Project Planning and Management Officer Chalani Rubesinghe noted that there was uncertainty as to whether Sri Lanka adheres to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guideline of a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3 of lead over an eight-hour average for all employees.
She said there is no data on the average blood lead levels of informal sector workers in Sri Lanka. Occupational exposure can also lead to secondary exposure in children through lead-contaminated clothing and soil. Hence, it is crucial to address both occupational and environmental lead exposure pathways.
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