The parents are warned to be very cautious when they purchase toys for their children and choose paint for a room or for playgrounds as a large part of these contain lead. Specialists says exposure to low lead levels can also have serious repercussions for health. The emanations from lead-based paint pose a significant lead poisoning risk, especially in children.
In a news conference at IPN, Natalia Guranda, projects manager at the public association “EcoContact”, noted that that in the process of deterioration, the old layer of paint releases noxious dust in the air and this can be inhaled by children. The adults are recommended not to allow the children, when they see a fence or a wall with dry paint, to take this off. A banal toy can also contain lead. A recent research showed that the very popular ‘spinner’ also contains such elements. The parents are thus warned not to buy toys from unsafe sources and of an uncertain quality and to wash the children’s hand after play so as to remove the invisible lead dust.
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 reproduction system, kidneys, the cardiovascular system, immune system and blood. Exposure to lead during pregnancy or in childhood can have imprints for the whole life, including on studying, coordination, spatial orientation, sight and speech. Pregnant women exposed to elevated lead levels can lose the fetus or can give birth to a stillborn child or prematurely and the child can have small weight and malformations.
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.
