Lead levels in new enamel household paints from Asia, Africa and South America.

In 2006 a report on the analysis for lead in 80 new residential paints from four countries in Asia revealed high levels in three of the countries (China, India and Malaysia) and low levels in a fourth country (Singapore) where a lead in paint regulation was enforced. The authors warned of the possible export of lead-painted consumer products to the United States and other countries and the dangers the lead paint represented to children in the countries where it was available for purchase. The need for a worldwide ban on the use of lead in paints was emphasized to prevent an increase in exposure and disease from this very preventable environmental source. Since the earlier paper almost 300 additional new paint samples have been collected from the four initial countries plus 8 additional countries, three from Asia, three from Africa and two from South America. During the intervening time period two million toys and other items imported into the United States were recalled because the lead content exceeded the United States standard. High lead paints were detected in all 12 countries. The average lead concentration by country ranged from 6988 (Singapore) to 31,960ppm (Ecuador). One multinational company sold high lead paint in one country through January 2007 but sold low lead paint later in 2007 indicating that a major change to cease adding lead to their paints had occurred. However, the finding that almost one-third of the samples would meet the new United States standard for new paint of 90ppm, suggests that the technology is already available in at least 11 of the 12 countries to produce low lead enamel paints for domestic use. The need remains urgent to establish effective worldwide controls to prevent the needless poisoning of millions of children from this preventable exposure.

Lead content of dried films of domestic paints currently sold in Nigeria.

Children are at higher risk from lead exposure because their developing neural system is susceptible to its neurotoxic effects. We studied lead levels of paints manufactured in Nigeria in 2006. Lead levels in 5 colors of paints, each from different manufacturers were measured using flame-atomic absorption spectroscopy. We found that 96% of the paints had higher than recommended levels of lead. The mean lead level of paints ranged from 84.8 to 50,000 ppm, with mean of 14,500 ppm and median of 15,800 ppm. The main determinant of lead levels was color of the paint. As lead levels in paint sold in the past years in Nigeria are likely to be at least as high as that currently sold, it is likely that many existing houses contain dangerously high levels of lead. Efforts need to be undertaken to assess the presence of high lead levels in existing housing and if detected, intervention programs for eliminating risk of exposure should be developed in addition to measures to increase awareness and enforce regulations leading to the elimination of lead based domestic paint.

Questionnaire survey of exposure to lead in the domestic environment in Nigeria.

Environmental exposure to lead is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries, particularly in children, but remains understudied in developing countries. While prevention is acknowledged as the best public health option, the level of knowledge about lead exposure in many developing countries is not known. We conducted a survey to evaluate the knowledge about lead exposure in Nigeria. Survey questionnaires were developed from the results of focus group discussions and published literature. 600 questionnaires were randomly distributed to adults living in Ibadan, South Western Nigeria in 2004. In addition, the knowledge of lead exposure was measured using a modified version of the Chicago Lead Knowledge Test (CLKT). Information on lead abatement and sources of household lead exposure were also obtained. Most respondents did not have a satisfactory level of knowledge about lead exposure in the domestic environment, how to prevent it and the role of nutrition in diminishing the impact of exposure. Younger people, female and increased years of schooling predict higher scores in the CLKT. Most respondents lived in rented homes; the majority of which were either built or last refurbished in the 1990s. Home owners and people living in homes built or last refurbished within 4 years of the study had higher mean CLKT scores. Our study showed that our respondents had very low levels of knowledge about the risk of domestic exposure to lead, particularly to children. We recommend that efforts should be made to increase awareness of this condition and that in Nigeria as in most development countries; this should be done through the maternal and child health care programs.

An examination of knowledge, attitudes and practices related to lead exposure in South Western Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Lead is a highly toxic and pervasive metal. Chronic exposure to low levels is responsible for significant health effects, particularly in children. Prevention remains the best option for reducing childhood lead exposure, however the knowledge, attitudes and practices to lead exposure in many developing countries is not known. METHODS: We conducted four focus group discussions (FGD) to evaluate knowledge attitudes and practices to lead exposure in Nigeria. An FGD guide was developed from the literature and preliminary discussion with members of the public. Participants in the FGD were randomly selected from adults living in Ibadan, South Western Nigeria in 2004. RESULTS: We found that there was limited awareness of the sources of lead exposure in the domestic environment and participants had little knowledge of the health effects of chronic low-dose lead exposure. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the findings of this study should be used, in conjunction with others, to develop appropriate health education intervention for lead exposure in the domestic environment.