Paints used in Indian households have dangerous levels of lead

14 September, 2007

The paints used in households in India contain dangerously high levels of lead, a toxin which adversely affects the intelligence quotient (IQ).

The study carried out by non-government organization Toxics Link in markets in Delhi and Mumbai showed exceedingly high levels of lead concentration in residential paints of all types – plastic (water-based), enamel (oil-based), and exterior coatings.

A majority of samples were bought in Delhi, while a few samples were also bought from Mumbai markets, according to Toxics Link.

Ravi Agarwal, director of Toxics Link, said that only one brand had a label indicating ‘No added lead, mercury, chromium compounds.’ No paint sample had ISI mark or ECO-mark on it.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has stipulated 1000 ppm (parts per million) as the benchmark for acceptable levels for lead in paints, which is not only voluntary but also optional as part of Ecomark labeling. Thus, a manufacturer is not bound by law to provide safe household paints, Ravi Agarwal said.

The study revealed that 38% of all samples – including plastic, enamel and exterior – contained lead at levels above 600 ppm, the United States’ standard of lead in paints.

The most worrying aspect was the presence of alarming levels of lead in enamel paints (with a gloss finish).

According to Dr Abhay Kumar, author of the study, the study found that most of the enamel paints contained high concentration of lead, well above
1000 ppm. Only one brand contained lesser amount of lead.

A majority of enamel-paint samples – 83.7% – contained more than 600 or 1000 ppm of lead, while 61.3% of samples had more than 5000 ppm of lead.

However, plastics and exterior paints contained low concentrations of lead across the brands – the levels were even below Indian voluntary standards.

According to Dr T Venkatesh, director of the National Referral Centre for Lead Poisoning in India, a number of cases of lead poisoning in children have been reported at St John’s Medical College, Bangalore. The main cause is the consumption of leaded paint chips.

Most western countries such as the United States, France, Austria and Belgium have regulated the use of lead in paints. “However, in India we continue to manufacture, supply and use lead paints,” Dr Venkatesh said.