1 in 4 paints tested in Malaysia exceed safe lead limit, study finds

LEEP, together with the Consumers’ Association of Penang and the Malaysian Paint and Coating Manufacturers’ Association, called for MS 2762, a voluntary standard that limits lead in decorative paints to 90ppm, to be made mandatory.

“The new findings show that voluntary action alone has not removed lead paint from Malaysian shelves,” the coalition said in a statement today.

The groups cited Asean nations’ current state of lead-related legislation to justify making the standard mandatory, noting that the Philippines and Singapore already enforce a 90 ppm limit while Vietnam is moving from 600ppm to 90ppm by next January.

When asked why the safe lead limit was set at 90ppm rather than a lower level or zero, LEEP programme manager Ivan Mahardika said lead’s status as a naturally occurring heavy metal made it nearly impossible to eliminate exposure.

“Lead is everywhere – it is in the soil and the trees. We can’t control it, but we can regulate it. The 90 ppm limit is set because it considers how various factories produce paint. Lead being added intentionally will always return a reading over 90ppm,” he told FMT.

The issue of lead exposure was also compared with the use of asbestos, constant exposure to which causes respiratory illnesses including mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the lungs.

Malaysia still allows the use of white asbestos, also known as chrysotile.

“Both are used for construction. I find it ironic that the application of paint and asbestos is used to protect residents from the outside environment, only for them to be harmed from within,” Ivan said.

“The most important thing is to have constructive dialogue with regulatory bodies rather than debate about whether this is important, because it is important. We want the discussion to become the next step.”