Ethiopian Leaders Meet to Discuss Lead Paint Elimination
“Even minimal exposure to lead can impact children. We must completely eliminate it in paint. Whether large or small amount, it has a harmful effect,” Dr. Mengistu Asnake, President of the World Federation for Public Health Association, said at a workshop organized by PAN Ethiopia on June 4th. Attending the workshop were leaders from the Ethiopian government and major media outlets.
“Lead affects every biological part of our body," Dr. Mengistu Asnake continued. ”Our blood system, digestive systems, skin, bone, muscle – all are affected. The mental capacity of young children is especially highly vulnerable.”
“You only get one brain. If it is damaged when you are a young child and it is still developing, it cannot be fixed,” said Dr. Sara Brosché, IPEN’s Global Lead Paint Elimination Manager.
“We will be successful if by 2020 if we have regulation in every country in the world limiting lead in paint,” added Jack Weinberg, IPEN senior policy adviser.
The workshop was part of IPEN's Africa Lead Paint Elimination Project, which was launched in April, 2015.