Human Chain and Rally to Celebrate: Demand to Ban Leaded Paints “Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action 2014” This week (October 19-25) is Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action, an international event to build awareness that lead, a toxic metal harmful to the environment and human health, is still being used in paint and other consumer products. More than 50 events are scheduled around the world as part of the prevention week. Activities in Bangladesh are being coordinated by Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) and include a human chain and Rally. The human chain started at 10am on Friday the 24th October in front of the National Press Club. Children from different educational institutions have participated in the human chain; they urged the government to ban the production and import of lead contained paints and want a safe environment and future in Bangladesh. ESDO is a member of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (GAELP), a jointly led initiative of the World Health Organization and the United Nations Development Programme. The broad objective of the alliance is to promote a phase-out of the manufacture and sale of paints containing lead and eventually to eliminate the risks that such paints pose. Lead paint has been banned in industrialized countries for over 30 years, but continues to be sold throughout the developing world causing significant harm to human health and the environment. Exposure to lead is particularly dangerous for children; it inhibits intellectual and physical development and can cause poor concentration, disruptive behavior and can even result in death. In fact childhood lead exposure is estimated to contribute to 600,000 new cases of children with intellectual disabilities every year. Yet despite the known health risks there is no legislation in place to prevent its import, production or sale. “The only way to prevent lead intoxication is to remove the source of the pollution” said Dr. Shahriar Hossain, Secretary General of ESDO. He added, we want to prevent children’s exposure to lead paint and to minimize occupational exposures to lead paint.” Former Secretary Syed Marghub Murshed also attend the human Chain and rally. Besides the human chain, a rally was formed by the students who headed towards Shishu Academy. At that time students distributed leaflets and factsheets to the passersby for creating public awareness.
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 16:29:58 +0000
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