Public health and environmental experts on Tuesday called on the government to fully enforce the updated Bangladesh Standards (BDS) and introduce stronger regulatory measures to eliminate lead from industrial paints, aluminium cookware and children’s toys.
They made the call at a high-level policy dialogue titled “Preventing Lead Poisoning and Updating Standards for Industrial Paints, Cookware and Toys” held in Dhaka.
Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), UNICEF and the Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO) organised the programme.
Experts said preventing lead poisoning must be treated as a national priority because of its irreversible impact on children’s health, cognitive development and long-term socio-economic outcomes.
They called for coordinated action in agencies covering regulatory enforcement, industry accountability, public awareness and strict market monitoring to eliminate lead from consumer products and protect public health.
Former secretary and ESDO Chairperson Syed Margub Murshed attended the dialogue as chief guest, while BSTI Director General SM Ferdous Alam was present as special guest.
Mohammad Saidul Islam, Director of BSTI’s Standards Wing, delivered the welcome remarks.
Calling lead a ‘silent killer,’ Margub Murshed warned that toxic metal poses a severe threat to public healthparticularly to children whose developing brains and nervous systems are highly susceptible.
“This toxic heavy metal is destroying the future of our next generation. It must be controlled without delay,” he said.
He said although Bangladesh has made significant progress in removing lead from decorative paints its continued use in industrial paints and everyday consumer goods including cookware and toys remains alarming.
“Strong and immediate action is essential to stop the use of lead in these products. Today’s dialogue is vital for bringing all relevant agencies together to advance this urgent agenda,” he added.
BSTI Director General SM Ferdous Alam highlighted the country’s achievement in setting a maximum limit of 90 parts per million (ppm) of lead in decorative paints, which has been recognised as a regional benchmark.
He said BSTI is now finalising new BDS specifications for industrial, marine and automobile paints.
“The recommendations from today’s meeting will help us update the existing standards and strengthen enforcement on the ground,” he added.
The dialogue was chaired by Professor Dr Syed Md Samsuddin of Dhaka University’s Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department.
Other speakers included Professor Dr Md Arju Mia of Jahangirnagar University, IEDCR Director Professor Dr Tahmina Shirin, ESDO Executive Director Siddika Sultana and UNICEF health specialist Dr Pricilla Wobi.
Representatives from NIPSON, icddr,b, Asian Paints, Berger Paints and the Paints Association also participated, sharing perspectives on industry challenges and opportunities for compliance with updated standards.