Hazardous Lead-Laden Paints Detected in Illegal Philippine Imports

• The toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition identified 18 imported aerosol paint products with lead levels far exceeding the legal limit of 90 parts per million (ppm).
• The findings highlight a gross violation of the Philippines' 2013 Chemical Control Order (CCO), which mandates a strict cap on lead content in paints.

Lead Concentration Data

• Of the 18 samples tested, 15 contained lead exceeding 20,000 ppm, with 11 exceeding 50,000 ppm.
• Five products, including four under the "Corolla" brand, contained concentrations above 100,000 ppm.
• Highest levels recorded included:
  • Corolla Spray Paint (Medium Yellow): 184,000 ppm
  • Lucky 5 Rain-Bow Spray Paint (Deep Yellow): 113,000 ppm
  • Bosny Spray Paint (counterfeit): 91,400 ppm

Health Risks and Advocacy

• The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies lead as a top public health concern, noting that there is no safe level of exposure; lead poisoning is particularly damaging to children, causing permanent neurological harm, lower IQ, and behavioral issues.
• The EcoWaste Coalition is pushing for stricter trade controls on lead chromates under the Rotterdam Convention, with the goal of tracking and regulating the global pigment trade by 2029.
• Authorities and advocacy groups advise the public to avoid purchasing unlabelled or poorly documented paint products.