The country's half of the paints for industrial purposes contain high range of lead, a toxic metal that causes adverse effects on both human health and the environment.
Meanwhile, many household decorative paints have still contained lead above the permissible level of 90 ppm, a study revealed.
Environmental and Social Development Organisation (ESDO ) conducted the study styled "Lead in Paints: A significant Pathway of Lead Exposure in Bangladesh", revealed on Thursday at ESDO head office in the city.
A total of 63 samples from 39 brands were examined under the study. Samples were purchased from Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Bogura.
Of the samples, 68 per cent were of industrial and the rest were of household decorative.
Above 50 per cent of the industrial samples had lead above 5000 ppm to 100,000 ppm against standard of 90 ppm.
Above 15.4 per cent of decorative paint samples still had lead above 90 ppm, said the ESDO study.
The samples were collected and tested in between July and August, 2022.
All local and Industrial brands of the country were covered by the study.
50 per cent of industrial paints, used on cars, toys, metal products, jewelries etc still have above 90 ppm of lead.
Dr Shahriar Hossain, secretary general of ESDO, said women and children are most affected by lead pollution.
He said cosmetics, toys, candy, food colour etc contain a large amount of lead compared to that of standard of 90 ppm.
Prof Dr Md Abul Hashem, former chairman of BSTI said Bangladesh is the fourth most seriously hit country in terms of affected children.
Citing from UNICEF study he said 35.5 million children has been affected with blood lead levels above the permissible level.
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