Pakistan has curbed the sale of hazardous oil and lead-based paints by more than half of what it was three years ago, but the market share of the toxic paints remains elevated at 41% at present that puts human health at risk and demands authorities concerned to gear up efforts to limit the use of lead to harmless level in manufacturing, said officials of government and non-governmental organisations at a press conference on Thursday.
Abid Hasan, Country (Pakistan) Manager, Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP) – an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) – said lead paint was one of Pakistan’s most serious yet overlooked health threats, with severe negative impacts, particularly on children.
Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal found in the Earth’s crust. Its widespread use has caused extensive environmental contamination, human exposure and significant public health problems globally, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“It causes permanent damage to their (children’s) cognitive development, damaging their ability to learn and focus, worsening their educational outcomes and future earnings potential. The consequences extend beyond childhood, with lead exposure causing hypertension and heart disease in adults,” he said.
“With an estimated 47 million children affected, Pakistan faces the second highest known level of childhood lead poisoning in the world, costing an estimated $38 billion annually in lost future earnings,” Hasan added.
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However, significant progress has been achieved in eliminating lead poisoning via paints.
Citing research conducted by the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) and LEEP with consultation from the Pakistan Coating Association (PCA), Hasan said, “findings show that the market share of brands selling oil-based lead paint for home use decreased from 88% to 41% between 2021 and 2024”.
The current market share at 41% of the dangerous paints remained high, he said, demanding further joint efforts to convince the paint industry to shift to lead-free paints.
Hasan said the study suggested almost no big brand was marketing lead-carrying paints in the country at present compared to the recent past. However, “59 brands were still found to be producing paints with high lead concentrations”.
There are around 80 to 90 paint manufacturing firms in Pakistan with the majority of them operating in the province of Punjab, an industry official told Business Recorder.
Dr Sayeda Zia Batool, Director General at PSQCA said, “The PSQCA is firmly positioned to ensure nationwide compliance with mandatory standards that prohibit lead in paint and other products above acceptable range. The reduction highlighted by this study proves that progress is achievable through persistent regulation and industry cooperation. We call upon all remaining manufacturers to immediately cease using lead-based raw materials, comply with the law, and help safeguard our population from this preventable harm”.
Muhammad Yousuf, a representative of the PCA, said the availability of cost-effective alternative raw material had helped control the use of lead in paints.
“Both large manufacturers and SMEs [small and medium enterprises] are taking steps towards eradicating lead in paint. Eradicating lead from paint is technically and commercially feasible, and our customers appreciate our commitment to health and the environment.”
PSQCA is the national standards body of Pakistan that works with government, industry, and stakeholders to ensure the quality, safety, and compliance of products and services.
LEEP is an international NGO that works with policy-makers, regulatory authorities, and industry to help end the sale of lead paints.
PCA is the representative body of the Pakistan coating industry. It works with government, industry, and trade bodies to help strengthen competitiveness, promote best practices, and support sustainable growth.
