Liberia’s public health and environmental agencies officials have signed regulations aiming to phase out the production, sale, and importation of lead-based paints in Liberia within the next three years, nearly five decades after it was banned in the United States.
Lead is a toxic metal that can cause serious health problems, especially in children. Lead paint was commonly used in paints before the 1980s because it was a cheap and effective way to make paint. However, in the United States, the use of lead-based paint in housing was banned in 1978.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia signed the Lead Paint Regulations on Wednesday in Monrovia to protect public health and the environment
The new regulations stipulate that the lead content in residential and decorative paints must not exceed 90 parts per million (ppm), aligning with standards set by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Mr. Jerry Toe, the Focal Point for the Lead Paint Regulation, hailed the signing as a major achievement that exemplifies the collaborative efforts of multiple stakeholders dedicated to safeguarding public health.
“This is not just a regulatory milestone but a testament to the collaborative efforts of stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to protect public health,” he emphasized.
The dangers of lead exposure are particularly acute in developing nations like Liberia, where it poses substantial public health challenges.
Mr. Rafael Ngumbu, EPA’s Manager of Environmental Research and Radiation Safety, provided an overview of the regulation’s development timeline, stating that consultations began in August 2019.
A subsequent study conducted by a UK team unveiled alarming levels of lead in locally produced paints, prompting urgent legislative action.
Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of the EPA, highlighted the severe health impacts of lead exposure, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women.
“Lead poisoning causes irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system, decreases IQ, and increases the risk of behavioral problems,” he warned during the signing ceremony.
Dr. Yarkpawolo expressed gratitude to the Liberian government, NPHIL, and international partners like the Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP) for their support in creating and advancing the regulations.
He assured the public of the EPA’s dedication to strict implementation, which includes testing paint samples, enhancing public awareness, and aiding manufacturers in shifting to lead-free production.
Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, Director General of NPHIL, regarded the signing as a “historical milestone” and emphasized the necessity of enforcing the regulation. “This is not just another signing ceremony.
It’s about ensuring that our enforcement teams monitor compliance, especially among manufacturers of lead-based paints,” he asserted.
Both the EPA and NPHIL have pledged to collaborate closely, demonstrating a model of inter-agency cooperation that addresses public health and environmental protection in a comprehensive manner. As emphasized by Dr. Nyan, “As President Boakai has said, this will not be business as usual. Implementation and enforcement will be key.”
EPA plans to work with LEEP to expand studies on lead content in paints, raise public awareness, provide technical guidance to manufacturers, and monitor compliance with the new regulations.
The signing of the Lead Paint Regulations marks a pivotal step in Liberia’s commitment to creating a healthier, lead-free environment for its citizens and ensuring a cleaner future for generations to come.
