The Supreme Court of Nepal has rejected a writ, filed by Nepal Paint Manufacturers Associations (NMPA) and other paint industry allies, which sought to nulify a mandatory standard for lead in paint enacted three years ago by the Government of Nepal. The law, which took effect in June, 2015, also requires companies to print the lead content of the paint and a precautionary message on paint can labels."
This is a victory for Nepalese children, who will now be protected from lead exposure in their homes, schools and parks, where heavily leaded paints are commonly used. Effective implementation of the law by all concerned government agencies will ensure that children in Nepal have the opportunity to grow and reach their full intellectual potential. We urge all involved in the paint industry to follow the law and produce paints that meet the country's mandatory lead paint standard of 90 ppm; label their products appropriately; and include a precautionary message on each paint can," said Mr. Ram Charitra Sah, Executive Director and Environment Scientist, Center for Public Health and Environmental Development (CEPHED).
Many Kenyan childen could becomementally stunted and unable to respond to basic instructions because of exposure to lead paints.
Lead poisoning among children can have lifelong health risks, including learning disabilities, anaemia and disorders in coordination, visual and language skills.
IPEN's Asian Lead Paint Elimination Project has been selected as one of eight project success stories to be featured in the special issue of the SWITCH-Asia Magazine commemorating the program´s ten year anniversary. In addition, there is a special chapter about Nepal that also mentions the project.
IPEN's project was selected out of the 95 project funded to date.
