Lead paint phase-out eyed by end-2019

MANILA, Philippines — Concerned groups have affirmed their unity to promote compliance to the national phase-out target for lead-added industrial paints by Dec. 31, 2019.

The environmental group EcoWaste Coalition and the Philippine Association of Paint Manufacturers (PAPM) made the affirmation through a joint statement to mark the fifth anniversary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 2013-24 issued on Dec. 23, 2013.

Also known as the Chemical Control Order for Lead and Lead Compounds, the policy directs the phase-out of lead-containing paints used for industrial applications by yearend.

“After completing the phase-out  of lead-containing architectural, household and decorative paints last Dec. 31, 2016, paint makers are now setting their sights on meeting the phase-out target for paints intended for industrial applications that still contain lead additives,” said Vergel Dyoco, technical committee chairman of PAPM and Technical Service Department Manager, Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines Inc.

“Our paint manufacturers are investing resources to find feasible replacements to lead-based raw materials in order to abide by the 2019 deadline for phasing out lead-added paints used for cars, aircraft, boats, appliances, metal sheets and other industrial uses,” he said.

For his part, Manny Calonzo, EcoWaste Coalition adviser, said, “The completion by December 2019 of the phase-out goal for lead-containing industrial paints will be a historic milestone in our common mission to eliminate lead paint, a preventable source of childhood lead exposure, in all paint categories.”

“The world will be watching as the Philippine paint industry transitions to full lead-safe paint production by 2020, a meaningful achievement that we all can be proud of because of its tremendous benefits to human health as well as to the economy,” he added.

As stated in a 2018 resource pack published by the World Health Organization, United Nations Environment and the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (Lead Paint Alliance): “Lead is especially dangerous to children’s developing brains, and can cause reduced intelligence quotient (IQ) and attention span, impaired learning ability, and increased risk of behavioral problems. These health impacts also have significant economic costs to countries.”

The Lead Paint Alliance, which includes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, PAPM, Pacific Paint (Boysen), EcoWaste Coalition and IPEN (a global NGO network campaigning for a toxics-free future) among its partners said: “The weathering, peeling or chipping of old lead paint releases lead into dust and soil, in and around homes, schools and other locations. Dust contaminated with lead can also be brought into the home on the clothes of those who work in industries where such dust is generated, including paint factories where lead continues to be used.”