A United Nations report has revealed that young children and pregnant women in developing countries including Ghana are exposed to high levels of toxic lead in paints used to decorate toys.
The United Nations Environment Programme reported of danger of exposure to paints in colours red and yellow particularly in the course of a recent International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action.
UN says parents painting their child’s nursery a cheerful red, or handing their child a colourful toy may, through no fault of theirs, be exposing the child to lead - a pernicious toxin.
According to the World Health Organization exposure to lead paint can be particularly grave among children, especially those living in low and middle-income countries which account for 99 per cent of children affected by high exposure to lead.
An estimated 143,000 deaths per year results from lead poisoning, often linked to lead paint, while some 600,000 new cases of intellectual disabilities are linked to childhood lead exposure.
WHO says Lead poisoning remains the number one environmental health concern especially for children globally.
The UN study found that the majority of the paints tested would not meet regulatory standards established in most highly industrialized countries and that few countries have established regulatory frameworks for lead paint.
The research analyzed enamel decorative paints from Argentina, Azerbaijan, Chile, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Tunisia and Uruguay.
The report is aimed at raising awareness among Governments, manufacturers and consumers not just that the problem exists, but that there are cheaper and safer alternatives to lead already in.
Latest Stories
-
SML fully delivered on Transaction Audit Service Agreement with GRA
3 mins -
Government trying to hide something from SML/GRA contract – Arthur Kennedy
7 mins -
Don’t encourage lateness and foolishness – Ace Ankomah to UG Vice Chancellor’s award winners
9 mins -
‘Obroni wawu’ traders plan to protest over Kumasi Central Market Redevelopment delays
14 mins -
Gold Fields Ghana boosts cocoa production in Huni Valley District through Cocoa Farmers’ Support programme
15 mins -
Spanish government to oversee football federation after Luis Rubiales scandal
27 mins -
TikTok will not be sold, Chinese parent tells US
34 mins -
Bawumia is ready to announce his running mate – Miracles Aboagye
41 mins -
Works and Housing Ministry launches BENCHH 2024
1 hour -
You misunderstood Bawumia’s ‘driver’s mate’ analogy – Miracles Aboagye tells Naana Opoku-Agyemang
1 hour -
Bulk Oil Distributors object to government’s plan to designate BEST sole off-taker
2 hours -
NPP likely to retain Ejisu seat – Global InfoAnalytics
2 hours -
Government allocates $20m for Kpong Irrigation Scheme expansion
2 hours -
Today’s front pages: Friday, April 26, 2024
2 hours -
Suspend implementation of Planting for Food and Jobs 2.0 – Stakeholders to government
2 hours