By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
“Watch out for banned leaded paints.”
A waste and pollution watch group on Monday reminded public school heads and teachers to keep a “vigilant eye” on lead-containing decorative paints that are illegal to use in schools because it is harmful to students.
A Grade 5 teacher paints a classroom at San Vicente Elementary School in Quezon City, May 28, 2018, during the 2018 Brigada Eskwela kick-off. (Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN)
The EcoWaste Coalition, in a statement, issued the reminder in time for next week’s “Brigada Eskwela” – an annual project of the Department of Education (DepEd) to prepare school facilities for the resumption of classes.
“We call upon all school heads and teachers to exercise the utmost vigilance to ensure that banned leaded paints are not used to decorate classroom walls, windows, doors, desks and tables, and other school amenities during the Brigada Eskwela,” said EcoWaste Coalition Chemical Safety Campaigner Thony Dizon.
The group said the lead-containing decorative paints – that are typically used for homes, schools, daycare centers, and playgrounds, as well as for toys and other children’s products – have been phased out effective December 31, 2016, in line with DENR’s Chemical Control Order for Lead and Lead Compounds.
“It is likely that old stocks of lead-containing paints are still available in hardware stores and unknowingly sold to uninformed buyers,” Dizon said. “Paint consumers have the right to be protected against hazards to health and should insist on lead-safe paints at all times,” he added.
EcoWaste reiterated the need for Brigada Eskwela participants to abide by Department Order No. 4, series of 2017, which requires the mandatory use of lead-safe paints in schools.
A Grade 5 teacher paints a classroom at San Vicente Elementary School in Quezon City, May 28, 2018, during the 2018 Brigada Eskwela kick-off. (Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN)
The EcoWaste Coalition, in a statement, issued the reminder in time for next week’s “Brigada Eskwela” – an annual project of the Department of Education (DepEd) to prepare school facilities for the resumption of classes.
“We call upon all school heads and teachers to exercise the utmost vigilance to ensure that banned leaded paints are not used to decorate classroom walls, windows, doors, desks and tables, and other school amenities during the Brigada Eskwela,” said EcoWaste Coalition Chemical Safety Campaigner Thony Dizon.
The group said the lead-containing decorative paints – that are typically used for homes, schools, daycare centers, and playgrounds, as well as for toys and other children’s products – have been phased out effective December 31, 2016, in line with DENR’s Chemical Control Order for Lead and Lead Compounds.
“It is likely that old stocks of lead-containing paints are still available in hardware stores and unknowingly sold to uninformed buyers,” Dizon said. “Paint consumers have the right to be protected against hazards to health and should insist on lead-safe paints at all times,” he added.
EcoWaste reiterated the need for Brigada Eskwela participants to abide by Department Order No. 4, series of 2017, which requires the mandatory use of lead-safe paints in schools.