BCF supports International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action
Press Release
21st October 2013
BCF supports International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action – October 20th to 26th.
The BCF is an active member of the International Paint and Printing Ink Council (IPPIC), which seeks to address the health, safety and environmental impacts associated with the manufacture and use of coatings and printing inks, including the recognition, evaluation and control of hazards arising from the use of lead in paint.
October 20th to 26th is the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action.
The British Coatings Federation, through IPPIC, is a member of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (GAELP), whose overall goal is to prevent children’s exposure to paints containing lead and to minimize occupational exposure to lead paint. Whilst lead hasn’t been used in decorative paints in the UK for more than 40 years, it is still being used in many developing countries around the world.
IPPIC established the following policy statement in 2009, which BCF fully supports:
“IPPIC supports the long-standing effectiveness of lead-use restrictions that are already in place in certain jurisdictions and recommends their widespread adoption by authorities not currently regulating the use of lead in paint and printing ink. Such restrictions may be accomplished through specific legislation or regulation, formal voluntary agreements, or by other means that ensure widespread and verifiable compliance.”
For people removing paint from surfaces painted pre 1960s, where old lead paints may be encountered, the Federation has created a guide which is available from the Paint and Wallcoverings Advice section of the British Coatings Federation website http://www.coatings.org.uk/advice.aspx
For more information on the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action please visit the World Health Organization’s website http://www.who.int/ipcs/lead_campaign/en/
ENDS
The British Coatings is the sole Trade Association representing the UK paints, printing inks, powder coatings and wallcoverings manufacturers. For further information, please contact either Alison Brown or Charlotte Webb at the BCF, alison.brown[at]bcf.co.uk, charlotte.webb[at]bcf.co.uk, telephone 01372 365989. www.coatings.org.uk.