THE ECOWASTE Coalition has reiterated its warning to consumers to avoid purchasing toxic spray paints after it found two additional brands that have high lead content being sold online.
The group said in a statement over the weekend that it tested and found two imported spray paints with high levels of lead manufactured by China-based Unioue (Lufeng) Tech. Co. Ltd.
“The yellow variant passed the 90 parts per million (ppm) maximum limit for lead in paints, but the dark green and the medium green variants were found to contain high concentrations of lead measured at 56,300 ppm and 41,480 ppm, respectively,” the EcoWaste Coalition said.
Citing the World Health Organization, the group said that lead exposure causes anemia, hypertension, renal impairment, immunotoxicity and toxicity to the reproductive organs.
The group added that lead exposure could cause damage to the brain and the nervous system, reduced intelligence quotient, slowed growth and development, learning, hearing and speech difficulties, and behavioral problems.
“These spray paints are in violation of Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order 2013-24, which bans the use of lead in the production of paints and sets a stringent limit on lead content in paints to not over 90 parts per million (ppm), the strictest legal limit in the world,” Former EcoWaste Coalition President Manny Calonzo said.
“The availability of non-compliant paint products such as spray paints sourced from abroad justifies sustained market monitoring to keep compliance with the regulation in check and to protect the public from a preventable source of lead exposure,” he added. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave