Environment watchdog pushes for lead-free paints for Brigada Eskwela

Environment watchdog EcoWaste Coalition on Monday partnered with Sto. Cristo Elementary School in Quezon City for its campaign against the use of lead-based paints in school makeovers during Brigada Eskwela.

As part of the Project Protect, the group, together with teachers and students in the school marched with their banners saying “Choose Lead-Safe paint”, “Lead-Free School”, and “Get the Lead out.”

Kampanya ng EcoWaste Coalition: Siguruhing lead-free ang pinturang gagamitin sa #BrigadaEskwela. | via @isay_reyes pic.twitter.com/joLgpf20IV

— GMA News Breaking (@gmanewsbreaking) 30 May 2016

“We urge Brigada Eskwela participants to opt for water-based over oil-based paint whenever possible. By and large, water-based paints have not contained lead.  If oil-based paints are required, be sure to look for lead-free brands,” Project Protect Coordinator Thony Dizon said in a statement.

Dizon warned that lead exposure may cause brain damage, especially to children. Exposure to lead may result to lifelong impacts including development delays, learning disabilities, decreased attention span, hearing, vision and muscle coordination problems, and behavioral issues.

Children who go to school are most susceptible to lead exposure because they can ingest the chemical through inhaling, the group said.

According to the World Health Organization, children are particularly vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of lead, which can lead to serious and irreversible neurological damage.

Dizon also cautioned volunteers of Brigada Eskwela not to dry sand or scrape painted surfaces that might contain lead as this may spread huge amounts of dust in the surroundings.

Earlier, the EcoWaste coaltion warned the public not to buy school supplies made with PVC, which may contain cancer-causing chemicals.  —Kiersnerr Gerwin Tacadena/ALG, GMA News