Exposé Reveals High Lead Levels in Paints Sold in Ghana: Urgent Action Required
JoyNews’ exposé reveals dangerously high lead levels in paints sold in Ghana. A study indicates that 15 out of 46 analyzed samples exceed safe lead limits, with the highest reaching 200,000 ppm. Regulatory confusion and smuggling complicate enforcement. Urgent intervention is needed to protect public health, particularly vulnerable populations.
A recent exposé by JoyNews reveals alarming levels of lead present in paints sold in Ghana. Through its documentary, “American Paints: The Painter’s Galamsey,” researchers collaborated with local regulatory agencies to uncover that some paint samples contained lead levels exceeding the acceptable limit of 90 parts per million (ppm). Out of 46 samples analyzed, 15 showed dangerously high lead levels, a stark rise compared to earlier assessments in 2023.
The highest lead content identified was an astonishing 200,000 ppm, exposing households, particularly pregnant women and children, to significant health risks, including irreversible neurological damage. The increasing prevalence of these hazardous paints in the market may stem from their lower cost compared to locally manufactured alternatives. However, these products lack certification from the Ghana Standards Authority, as emphasized by Prof. Alex Dodoo, the Authority’s CEO, who noted that they are unregulated and pose severe health risks.
Complicating the matter, a regulatory conflict exists between the Ghana Standards Authority and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA). The former claims that the FDA has assumed responsibility for regulating these imports, while the FDA counters that it has no authority over paints. This creates a regulatory void, leaving the market vulnerable to unmonitored sales of dangerous paints.
Importers reportedly engage in collusion with customs agents to smuggle these unregulated paints, evading necessary inspections and duties. Jessica Nkansah, from the Ghana Standards Authority, expressed grave concerns about the processing conditions of these paints, while Lovelace Sarpong from the Environmental Protection Agency noted some progress among local manufacturers since past investigations.
The marketing of these “American Paints” is recognized as a misleading strategy, which deceives consumers into purchasing harmful products. Without immediate intervention, the ongoing availability of these toxic paints poses a continuous threat to public health, particularly to the most vulnerable members of society, namely children.
The investigation into the toxic lead levels in paints sold in Ghana highlights a pressing public health concern that requires urgent address. The lack of regulation, compounded by regulatory confusion, permits the continued sale of hazardous paints, despite the evident dangers they pose. With the potential for irreversible health impacts, especially in vulnerable populations, it is critical for authorities to establish stringent oversight and ensure consumer safety in the paint market.
Original Source: www.myjoyonline.com
