For Immediate Release
22 October 2024, Jakarta, Indonesia—Nexus3 Foundation, with the support of the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), join others to celebrate the 12th International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW) from October 20 to 26, 2024. This year’s theme, “Bright Futures Begin Lead Free,” aims to spotlight the ongoing global fight against childhood lead exposure and the urgent need to eliminate lead in paint.
Since 1921, ILO has already recognised that lead exposure is a serious public health concern, particularly in young children and women. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that “there is no safe level of lead exposure.” Despite ongoing efforts to reduce lead in the environment, a 2021 report revealed that only 27% of decorative paints sampled in Indonesia had lead content below 90 parts per million (ppm). Unfortunately, lead-laden paints are still used in children’s environments, such as schools and playgrounds, exposing young ones to dangerous lead levels.
For over 17 years, IPEN’s global campaign to eliminate lead paint has highlighted the critical role of regulations in reducing the use of toxic lead in paint manufacturing. Through IPEN’s testing in 59 countries, it is evident that regulations have led to significant reductions in lead paint production and sold in the market. However, in many countries, including Indonesia, lead paint continues to be used, posing lifelong health risks to vulnerable populations such as children, workers, and women of childbearing age.
“Based on IPEN’s new report, Exporting Lead Poisoning: The Toxic Trade in Lead Chromates, findings show that exports of lead chromates represent a dangerous and toxic trade, putting millions of children at risk of lead poisoning. This year, we urge all countries to adopt legally binding regulations to ban lead paint and include an explicit prohibition against importing and exporting lead chromates and other lead compounds used in manufacturing paint,” Jeiel Guarino from IPEN about the urgency of this issue. “In the past decade, there has been progress in eliminating lead paint threats, but as long as the exports and imports of lead chromates and lead paints remain uncontrolled, the risks from the ongoing use of lead paint will remain high. It’s time to finish the job and ban lead paint to stop lead poisoning among children”.
Yuyun Ismawati, Nexus3 Foundation, echoed this urgency, emphasising that regulations on the use of lead in paint must be mandatory and legally binding for paint manufacturers, not merely voluntary national standards. This step is crucial to safeguarding public health and reducing paint workers’ health risks from lead hazards and other chemicals used in paint factories.
She also highlighted the importance of promoting safer lead substitutes in paint production. Initiatives, such as those championed by paint companies in the Philippines, have successfully reformulated paints without lead.
“By replacing lead-based pigment, driers, and catalysts, paint companies contribute to preventing, protecting, and preserving a healthy environment for their workers, consumers, the environment, and, most importantly, their shareholders. More than 90% of paint materials are chemicals, old and new, including PFAS, imported from other countries. In the modern era we are living in now, company owners and CEOs must work harder to balance profit, the planet, and people,” stated Ismawati. “Business responsibilities do not stop at the factory gate; they must extend it to ensure their products and waste are safe for workers, consumers and the environment. An old-century material, like lead, must be replaced with modern material and technology that is safer and green.”
Additionally, Dr. dr. Tubagus Rachmat Sentika Hasan, Sp.A, MARS underscored the severe health risks of lead exposure, particularly in children. He explained that children’s bodies are more susceptible to absorbing lead, increasing the risk of developmental disorders. Industries contributing to lead pollution, such as burning used batteries, must be strictly regulated to prevent widespread harm. To address these concerns, dr. Sentika stated, “The Indonesian government is actively working to improve public health by enhancing primary healthcare services and promoting health education. This includes creating a healthier environment through digital campaigns to prevent exposure to harmful substances like lead. Producers must play a role in these campaigns and contribute to educating the public about lead’s dangers.”
Another aspect highlighted by experts is the use of paint at schools’ buildings and tableware in schools’ canteens, which are often colourful. This striking colour raises concerns about exposure to heavy metals, such as lead, in the painted products and equipment. Titik Sasanti, from Gita Pertiwi, stated, “This suspicion was proven true after laboratory tests showed the presence of lead content in schools’ environment. Therefore, it is important to include lead-free paints in schools as the requirement in any bidding to build new schools or renovate old schools and procurement of all educational-related equipment.”
Niti Emiliana, from the Indonesian Consumers Association (YLKI), added, “Consumers are concerned about the comfort, security and safety in using products, including paint products. Lead in paint is a source of toxic substances for consumers, especially children and vulnerable groups, who are more susceptible to lead exposure. We encourage the elimination of lead in paint products in Indonesia for a better future of the Golden Indonesia’s generation.”
Nexus3’s petition, launched in 2020, calls on the Indonesian President to ban lead paint. The petition has more than 17,000 signatories. Please consider signing up and supporting it here: change.org/LarangCatTimbal.
Media Contact:
Ola, Nexus3 Foundation Communications Officer, ola@nexus3foundation.org, +62877700776609
About Nexus3 Foundation
Nexus Foundation for Environmental, Health, and Development or Nexus3 Foundation (formerly known as the Balifocus Foundation) works to protect the public, especially vulnerable populations, from the impacts of development on public health and the environment. Nexus3 is working towards a future that is just, toxics-free and sustainable.
About IPEN
IPEN is a global network forging a healthier world where the production, use, and disposal of toxic chemicals no longer harms people and the environment. Over 600 public interest NGOs in more than 120 countries, primarily low—and middle-income nations, comprise IPEN and work to strengthen global and national chemicals and waste policies, contribute to ground-breaking research, and build a global movement for a toxics-free future.
You can access the recorded video documentation here More than a Decade of Action: Let’s Finish the Job! and access the photo documentation here Documentation
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