The reporter learned from the International Campaign Week for the Prevention of Lead Poisoning that lead poisoning remains one of the most important environmental health concerns for children worldwide, and lead containing paint is the main trigger point for lead poisoning in children. The World Health Organization calls on paint companies to avoid using lead containing paint and promote healthy growth of children.
It is reported that the World Health Organization has identified lead as one of the ten chemicals of significant public health concern, requiring member states to take action to protect the health of workers, children, and women of childbearing age. The organization stated that lead exposure causes 143000 deaths annually, with the heaviest burden in developing countries. The organization also emphasizes that the harm of lead to children cannot be ignored. Young children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of lead and have to endure serious and persistent side effects on their health. Lead can particularly affect the development of the brain and nervous system. According to data provided by the organization, the estimated annual increase in intellectual disability caused by children's lead exposure is about 600000.
The World Health Organization states that children may come into contact with lead containing paint through toys, walls, door frames, and furniture. In addition, lead containing paint peeling off surfaces of objects can also generate lead contaminated dust indoors that is easily inhaled by children. The World Health Organization stated that there are no known safe levels of lead exposure or blood lead concentrations, but lead poisoning can be completely prevented.
According to the editor of Jiuzheng Building Materials Network, there are clear standards and regulations in China regarding the lead content in indoor environmental decoration materials standards. The regulations state that the soluble lead content of solvent based wood coatings, interior wall coatings, wood furniture heavy metals, and wallpaper heavy metals must not exceed 90MG/kg. Experts explain that in addition to lead, the main heavy metal indicators specified in these standards also include chromium, cadmium, and mercury. These heavy metals are the main components of paint coloring, so "the brighter the color of the paint, the more likely it is to contain a large amount of heavy metal components
According to data provided by the World Health Organization, 30 countries around the world have gradually stopped using lead based paint. The goal set by the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Based Paint, jointly led by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme, is to stop using lead based paint in 70 countries by 2015.