Current Scenario in Nepal EU and USA

Three consecutive studies of lead in paint carried out for the first time in Nepal by a researchbased non-governmental organisation, the Center for Public Health and Environmental
Development (Cephed), from 2010 to 2013, found that over 70 percent of paints, especially
enamel paints, contain high levels of lead well above than 90 parts per million (ppm), the
internationally accepted standard for lead in paints. The maximum level of lead in the 2013
study was 130,000 ppm, 1,444 times more than the American, Chinese, and Indian standard for
lead in paints. The Asian Lead Paint Elimination Project is being implemented by IPEN over a
period of three years in seven countries (Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri
Lanka, and Thailand) with funding from the European Union (EU) totaling 1.4 million.
Where found or where used
A study conducted by New York University in 2013 revealed high economic losses to Nepal due
to lead exposure, equalling $1.5 million or four percent of Nepals GDP, an amount that is very
likely much higher than the total revenue from lead-related businesses as a whole to Nepal.Dust
samples collected from five out of five (100 percent) of school classrooms in the Kathmandu
Valley were found to be contaminated with lead. Seventy-seven percent of the classroom floor
dust samples contained hazardous levels of lead more than 10 g/ft2 and even 23 percent
contained dangerous levels of lead more than 40 g/ft2. Another study by Dr Mehta, KD et al in
2014, which evaluated blood lead levels among 304 primary school-going children in
Kathmandu Metropolitan City revealed that 73 percent of the children had detectable blood lead
levels. Blood lead levels were significantly higher in children living in homes with chipped wall
paint.
Permissible Limit in Nepal, WHO
Nepal is the 53rd country in the world to establish lead paint regulation and one of only a
handful of low- and middle-income countries to set limits on lead in paint. The Global Alliance to
Eliminate Lead Paint, a joint initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme and WHO,
has set a goal of eliminating lead in paint in all countries by the year 2020. So the recent move
by the Nepali government will help ensure elimination of leaded paint from Nepal.So on behalf
of the children of Nepal, we congratulate the Government of Nepal, the Office of the Prime

Minister and Council of Ministers, and the Environment Ministry for this visionary action of
enacting this much-awaited mandatory standard for lead in paint.
Summary of Results of paint lead levels in Nepal
Analyzed Samples: 71 percent of paints sold in Nepal have lead levels above the
proposed 90 ppm limit and would not be permitted for sale in the United States.
Dangerously high lead concentrations (over 10,000 ppm) were found in 29 percent of all
paints analyzed.
Colors: Green, red, yellow and blue color paints are the most likely to contain
dangerously high levels of lead.
Paint Brands:Most paint brands in Nepal sell paint above the proposed acceptable level
of 90 ppm and more than half of the brands (57 percent, 21 out of 12 brands) sell paints
with dangerously high levels above 10,000 ppm.
Potential health hazards:
Lead poisoning can happen if a person is exposed to very high levels of lead over a short period
of time. When this happens, a person may feel: Abdominal pain, Constipated, Tired, Headachy,
Irritable, Loss of appetite, Memory loss, Pain or tingling in the hands and/or feet, Weak.Because
these symptoms may occur slowly or may be caused by other things; lead poisoning can be
easily overlooked. Exposure to high levels of lead may cause anemia, weakness, and kidney
and brain damage. Very high lead exposure can cause death.
Recommendations:
The Nepal government must enact a mandatory standard for lead in household paints.
Provide support to small and medium-sized paint manufacturers for paint analysis, to
remove lead from their paint production, and support awareness programs related to the
hazard of leaded paints.
Should bring awareness program on Impact of lead in Human Health issues.
Require paint cans to be properly labeled with details of paint ingredients and to alert
users to the hazards of lead-contaminated dust and other materials when previously
painted surfaces are scraped or sanded in preparation for repainting.

 To ensure the consumer to buy Lead Free Paints, 3rd party certification must be
enacted.