Paint is required to add the aesthetic finish and look to our buildings and infrastructure. Since antiquity, paints have been used in single shades or unique combinations which yield attractive outcomes. However, some paints contain hazardous chemicals, including heavy metals such as lead. Lead is a potent neurotoxin which has the ability to affect the nervous systems of young children.
Lead is used in order to accelerate drying, increase durability and prevent moisture from damaging the paint. In recent years, lead has been banned from paint across the world. Paint manufacturers have been told about the toxicological effects of lead in the population. Some have taken heed of the technical advice, whereas some have not dared to adjust the formulation of their paints.
Continued use of lead in paint can easily result in lead poisoning within the population and could also turn out to be fatal in the long run. Reduced sperm concentration, apoplexy, liver damage and kidney damage are some of the common conditions when an individual is exposed to lead in paint.
Despite development of various alternative substances, lead usage remains high in the paint manufacturing sector of selected countries. Where bans exist, effective enforcement needs to be scaled up. The emergence of backyard and cottage industries manufacturing paint also makes it difficult to totally eliminate lead in paint. If the world needs to overcome the scourge of lead poisoning and ensure environmental protection as well as human health and safety, action must start now to make the pain sector lead free.
Consumers too, play a very important role in preventing the usage of lead in paint by purchasing paint which is lead free. If a higher number of customers are selective, the end result is that there is a high consumer pressure on organisations which manufacture leaded paint. Consequently, a shift towards friendly alternatives will be achieved.