CEBU, Philippines — Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal found in the Earth’s crust and its widespread use has resulted in extensive environmental contamination and significant public health problems worldwide, report from the World Health Organization said.
Most global lead consumption is noted on lead-acid batteries for motor vehicles.
However, lead is also used in many other products, like pigments, paints, solder, stained glass, lead crystal glassware, ammunition, ceramic glazes, jewelry, toys, some traditional cosmetics such as kohl and sindoor, and even in some traditional medicines used in countries such as India, Mexico and Viet Nam according to WHO while drinking water delivered through lead pipes or pipes joined with lead solder may contain lead.
With this, FH Colors & Coatings Corporation took an effort to eliminate lead from architectural and industrial paints in the Philippines.
Recently, it successfully passed the third-party Lead Safe Paint Certification program, marking its commitment to producing safer, lead-free products.
The certification was overseen by SCS Global Services, a reputable US-based certification body, in collaboration with the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), headquartered in Sweden, and its local affiliate, the EcoWaste Coalition.
This announcement coincides with the 8th International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, highlighting the global initiative to phase out lead paint.
And to share its latest milestone, the said company had initially donated 80 gallons of lead-safe latex paints to barangay Poblacion of Talisay City the other day.
The donated paints will be used mainly for the repainting of city’s Liberation Park under the barangay.
It is also expected that the kind gesture of the said company will bring in more awareness to opt for the lead-safe products such as A-Plus Paints.
All A-Plus Paints products spanning architectural paints, wall and surface preparation, construction chemicals, waterproofing, automotive, epoxy adhesives, marine coatings, woodcraft, floor coatings and more have been rigorously tested and certified as lead safe.
Aside from the A-Plus Paints, FH Colors and Coating Corporation, their other products which also got certification as lead-safe include the Hanscoat Automotive Paints, Glazer Paints and Kali Paints.
“The certification of FH Colors & Coatings Corp. marks a pivotal step towards a safer environment, demonstrating the company’s dedication to protecting public health and ensuring safer living spaces for future generations,” the company’s statement said. — (FREEMAN)