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Awareness Campaign on Lead (Pb) in Paints in Schools
Source: Toxics Link, Date: , 2015
Toxics Link has been
conducting school programs in various schools of Delhi to inform and educate
students about harmful health effects of lead (Pb), a heavy metal, in paints. The
program further envisages that these students in turn would reach out to
many others who as consumers would become aware and demand for lead safe paints.
As a part of this ongoing
campaign, presentations and film screenings were done in Balvantray Mehta Vidya
Bhawan Senior Secondary School, Lajpat Nagar on 23 January 2015. About 50
students of standard IX attended this school program. The 45 minutes
presentation began with screening of a short film on lead and its health
effects on children between 0-6 years of age. This was followed by a power
point presentation on lead in paints where in information on lead in general,
and lead as health concern was discussed with children.
The effectiveness of the
power point presentation was evident from the fact that it aroused many
questions and queries from the students. The teachers along with the students
took active part in the presentation by sharing their own experiences,
observations and knowledge.
Some of the questions
raised were –Is lead (Pb) present in printing paints? What is the full form of
VOC? Why is cadmium used in paints? What safety standards in place for use of
heavy metals? What kind of chemicals is present in computers and mobile phones?
Do computer and mobile phone body paints use lead? Do lipsticks and nail
enamels contain lead?
Information was also
sought about labs where blood lead level tests are done in Delhi, and what is the
approximate cost for the same.
One student shared his
experience on how his friend fell unconscious immediately after he inhaled the
air soon after shattering of his laptop screen.
In the end, the Eco-Club teacher encouraged the students to actively spread
awareness regarding lead (Pb) in paints.
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