As countries work towards the elimination of lead and its components in paint production due to its adverse effect on the health of man and animals, Nigeria must be at the forefront in ensuring leaded paint is produced in a way that will ensure the wellbeing of all and sundry.

Environmental expert, Prof. Babajide Alo, made this declaration at the close of a Project Dissemination Workshop organized by Sustainable Research and Action for Environment Development (SRADev) Nigeria in Lagos.

According to him, it has been proven that paint produced around the world is hazardous to human health and there is a need to put a stop to this to prevent further damage and possible loss of life.

“It has been proven that lead is very toxic and very dangerous to man and animals, it has been proven that children who get in contact with lead get their brain toxified somehow. So, based on that, the world led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) decided that we needed to get rid of lead in every paint produced,” he noted.

Alo also stressed that “About 10 years ago after carefully studying the effect of all forms of paint produced at the time had on people, UNEP felt there was a necessity to eliminate lead and its compounds in paint production.

Alo, who was a facilitator at the event, maintained that the pilot scheme project embarked upon by SRADev-Nigeria has shown that lead can be successfully removed in paint production in Nigeria and provide alternatives that can be used instead of lead components.

He also said: “Nigeria is the only country chosen for this GEF project in Africa so it is a pilot, and the experiences of SRADev-Nigeria will be shared with other African countries.