EcoWaste Coalition Warns of High Lead Content in Imported Spray Paints

• The EcoWaste Coalition has identified Chinese-manufactured spray paints containing lead levels significantly exceeding the Philippine legal limit of 90 parts per million (ppm).
• Lead exposure is linked to severe neurological damage, learning disabilities, and behavioral issues in children, with the WHO designating it a major chemical health threat.
• The group is calling for stricter import controls and international regulation of lead chromates under the Rotterdam Convention.

Findings and Test Results

• The watchdog tested "Corolla Spray Paint," manufactured on April 1, 2026, purchased from an online seller.
• X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) testing revealed:
  • Four colors (naranja, orange, deep yellow, medium yellow) contained over 100,000 ppm of lead.
  • Green paint contained 8,530 ppm.
  • Red paint measured 91 ppm.

Regulatory Context

• The Philippines has a strict 90 ppm lead limit for all paints, established under a Chemical Control Order (CCO).
• Despite China implementing its own 90 ppm limit for architectural and industrial coatings on June 1, 2026, these non-compliant products continue to be exported.
• The EcoWaste Coalition and IPEN are advocating for lead chromates to be listed under the Rotterdam Convention to curb the global trade of toxic pigments.