As Diwali approaches, we all try hard to clean and paint the house. We focus more on paint that makes the house shine more. But we never pay attention to the danger of lead-based gloss paints used to paint the house.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.5 million people worldwide died from lead exposure in 2021. Lead in paints is a chemical that can affect brain development children. May be harmful to pregnant women. In children, it can damage the brain and affect their thinking ability, intellectual development and IQ.
So today we necessary news I will know-
How can lead in paint harm your health? What steps should we take to protect ourselves from lead-containing paint? How to choose lead-free paints this Diwali?
Question: What is lead?
answer- Lead is a metal used in paints to maintain color quality and vibrancy. But contact with it can be extremely harmful to our health. Meanwhile, it is used in batteries, cosmetics, toys and construction materials. It is a very harmful substance. Lead has long been used in fuels like gasoline and diesel. However, the Indian government then completely stopped its use in gasoline and diesel in 2000.
Question: What harm does lead cause?
answer- Children’s brains are most affected by lead exposure. This has a negative impact on their ability to learn and concentrate. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), lead exposure can lower children’s IQ levels by 4 to 5 points. Health experts say children’s bodies absorb lead four to five times faster than adults’ bodies.
For this reason, it can be very dangerous for children to come into contact with lead. This has a negative impact on their mental and physical development. Lead accumulates in our body’s bones, teeth, kidneys and brain. This can damage our nervous system and kidneys.
Question: How harmful can paint used in the home be?
answer- Lead used in paints can reach children through the blood stored in women’s bones during pregnancy. This can hinder the baby’s development in the womb. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2021, 15 million people died from lead worldwide. According to a Toxic Truth report published by UNICEF, one in three children worldwide suffers from lead poisoning and the amount of lead in their body is more than 5 micrograms per deciliter. Paints containing lead are a leading cause of lead poisoning. Long-term exposure to lead can also lead to weakened bones, cancer risks and respiratory diseases.
Question: How much lead is safe in paints?
answer- According to the US government organization Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lead is not safe for the human body, regardless of the amount. According to Indian government rules, the amount of lead in paints should not exceed 90 parts per million (90 ppm).
According to a 2015 survey by Toxic Link, 46% of paints in India had lead levels above 10,000 ppm, compared to the Indian standard of 90 ppm. In 2013, this figure was 44%.
During these two years, only three paints reduced their lead levels below 90 ppm and were considered eligible for sale on the international market. Of the 44 brands, 66% of paints had dangerously high lead levels, above 10,000 ppm. High levels of lead have been found in all paint colors, including white paint.
Question – How to choose lead-free paints?
answer- Now that we know the dangers of lead, it’s important to know how to choose the right paints. Nowadays, lead-free paints are also available in the market, which are environmentally safe and lead-free. Lead-free paints are labeled “lead-free” or “lead-free” on their package labels. In such a situation, you can buy these paints. If this information is not clear, you can ask your seller.
There are many companies in the Indian paint industry that manufacture lead-free paints. We can buy them at the market. These paints are completely safe from a health point of view. However, these paints are a little more expensive than lead-based paints. Using lead-free paints also improves air quality, which reduces indoor environmental pollution. These paints are safe for health.
Question: How to paint the house on Diwali?
answer- Be it Diwali or any other occasion, one should always choose lead-free paints to paint the house. Lead-free paints have several advantages that make them a better option than traditional paints. These are safe for children and the elderly from a health point of view.
These paints do not contain any toxic elements, due to which the air inside the house is not polluted. When painting the house, we should keep the windows of the room open. This allows air to circulate and paints to dry quickly. Along with this, painting should be done only while wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kit and children and pregnant women should stay away from it.
Apart from decorating your house during this auspicious festival, also take care of your health and environment. Choosing lead-free, environmentally friendly paints is a small but important step that will help protect your family and the environment.
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