PPCB ISSUES DIRECTIONS TO ENSURE LEAD-FREE HOUSEHOLD AND DECORATIVE PAINTS IN PUNJAB

Chandigarh, 31 July (WISHAVWARTA):-Reinforcing its commitment to protecting public health and ensuring strict compliance with environmental regulations, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has issued an order to strengthen enforcement of the “Regulation of Lead Contents in Household and Decorative Paints Rules, 2016”. The order requires all concerned field offices to incorporate specific conditions relating to lead content compliance in the consent process, with immediate effect.

These Rules notified by The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) prohibit the manufacture, trade, import and export of household and decorative paints containing lead in excess of 90 parts per million (ppm). The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has also prescribed compliance and testing procedures to facilitate effective implementation across the country.

Under the directions issued by PPCB, paint manufacturers will be required to ensure that the lead content in household and decorative paints remains within the prescribed limit of 90 ppm. Manufacturers must also obtain certification from recognised laboratories or accredited agencies confirming compliance with the prescribed standards and provide copies of such certificates to dealers and retailers to facilitate verification by regulatory authorities. These conditions will now form an integral part of the consent mechanism wherever applicable.

Chairperson, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Ms. Reena Gupta, said that lead exposure continues to pose a serious yet preventable threat to public health, particularly for children, who are significantly more vulnerable to its harmful effects. Even low levels of lead exposure can adversely affect neurological development, learning ability and overall health, making strict regulatory compliance essential.

Lead has been identified globally as one of the World Health Organization’s chemicals of major public health concern. Studies indicate that there is no safe level of lead exposure, with children absorbing lead at significantly higher rates than adults, resulting in irreversible impacts on brain development and other vital organs.

The Punjab Pollution Control Board reiterated that the objective of the latest directions is to ensure effective implementation of the existing legal framework through strengthened regulatory oversight at the ground level. By integrating these compliance requirements into the consent process, the Board aims to improve regulatory compliance, encourage responsible manufacturing practices and safeguard public health while supporting the transition towards safer, lead-free paints across Punjab.

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