The International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action is marked in Moldova during October 22-28. This year’s theme refers to the content of lead in environmental factors and human body. The awareness-raining campaign that will be conducted on this occasion aims to sensitize the population to the dangers posed by lead, particularly lead paint, and to inform how lead poisoning can be avoided, especially in children. The authorities are urged to take additional measures to ban lead until 2020.
In a news conference at IPN, chairman of the public association “EcoContact” Andrei Isac said the activities within the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action started on October 22 and include the distribution of informative brochures and discussion of the subject in TV and radio programs and at different events and debates in institutions, including medical ones. Even if no lethal or mass lead poisoning cases were reported in Moldova, the population should know the dangers posed by lead, while the authorities of all levels should work out a legal framework to protect the market from paint and toys that contain heavy metals, such as lead.
Elena Jardan, head of the experimental toxicology lab of the National Public Health Center, said the human body is very receptive to the toxic action of lead that affects the central nervous system and the brain, the reproductive system, kidneys, the cardiovascular system and immune system. Increased exposure to lead can result in behavioral and mental disorders and is especially dangerous for the children’s brain as it affects the learning abilities and attention. Exposure to lead during pregnancy or in childhood can have imprints for the whole life, including on studying, coordination, sight and speech. Pregnant women exposed to elevated lead levels can lose the fetus or can give birth prematurely and the child can have malformations.
Svetlana Bolocan, division head at the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment, said the amendments and supplements made to the Law on Environment Protection and the Law on Atmospheric Air Protection have taken effect this year. The changes enabled to introduce restrictions on the introduction of lead in particular products, such as paint and ethylated gasoline. A number of legal provisions on waste will take effect this yearend. These refer to electrical and electronic equipment and other types of household waste that contain lead. There will be regulated the requirements for producers and importers of paint by which the introduction of lead in paint will be banned.
According to specialists, exposure to low lead levels can also have serious repercussions for health. The emanations of lead-containing paint, especially in the home, pose a significant lead poisoning risk, especially in children. It should be noted that in the process of deterioration, the old layer of paint releases noxious dust in the air and this can be inhaled by children.
