Paint used to colour the walls of homes, schools and hospitals across the country is a lurking deadly threat.
Most paints sold in Bangladesh contain dangerous levels of lead, according to a recent study by the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO).
The study found that some paints contained lead levels nearly 2,000 times higher than the limit permitted under Bangladeshi law.
Tests on 161 commonly available paint samples showed that about 42 per cent contained dangerously high levels of lead. In some cases, lead content exceeded 50,000 parts per million (ppm), while the legally permitted limit is only 90 ppm.
The most alarming findings were in Kangaroo brand paint imported from Singapore, which contained 190,000 ppm of lead. Other brands with high lead levels included Euro, Nahar, Top Seal, Meghna Plus, and Turky.
The study also found that all spray paints available in the local market contained lead above permissible limits, with an average of 6,000 ppm.
However, major and well-known brands such as Berger, Asian Paints, and Nippon were found to maintain comparatively safer standards.
In contrast, paints produced by small local manufacturers showed much higher lead content. These products are being sold in the market without any laboratory testing, posing a direct threat to public health.
Doctors warn that once lead enters the human body, it gradually damages the brain, nervous system, kidneys, and bones. The impact is especially severe for children, significantly affecting intellectual development.
A field visit also revealed that many traders are unaware of the permitted lead limits in paint or which brands are allowed or banned for sale.
Although the use of lead in paint was legally banned in 2018, widespread irregularities continue in the market.
ESDO says the risk cannot be reduced without strict government monitoring, mandatory safety labeling, and regular quality testing of products.
