Don showcases alternatives to lead in paint as year 2020 phase out target approaches

Ahead of the year 2020 target that the global community had set to phase out the use of lead in paint, paint manufacturers in Nigeria have been urged to reformulate and embrace the new alternatives to lead in their production processes.

Besides, they have also been introduced to the new alternative chemicals which are less harmful and cost saving than the hitherto commonly used and harmful lead compounds which would no longer be available in the market from year 2020.

In his presentation as the guest speaker at the Paint Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMA) 2019 Coatings show, themed “Future trends in coatings technology”, held in Ikeja, Lagos from 28-29 October 2019, Professor Emeritus and Director, Institute for Environmental and Human Resources Development, University of Lagos, Babajide Alo, called on the paint manufacturers to reformulate their chemical components and introduce the new alternatives to the commonly used lead compounds.

Alo, who has being representing Nigeria in local and international meetings in the area of chemical and environmental matters also used the occasion to showcase new alternative materials that paint manufacturers in the country can use in line with the global efforts to eradicate lead in paint.

Specifically, he said the most effective replacements of lead are based on strontium or zirconium , adding that strontium is classified as non-toxic and less of it is needed compared to lead to achieve the same effect as alternative drying agents.

The erudite scholar who took the audience at the well attended coatings show through the chemistry of paint manufacturing pointed out that the alternative, non-lead compounds can perform as well lead-based ones and the paint would be of equivalent quality.

He went further “While most major markets around the world have greatly limited or even eliminated the use of lead and/or lead compounds in paint, these compounds continue to be found in paint and coatings products in developing markets.

“In most developing countries like Nigeria, there are examples of companies that do not manufacture lead paints and there are case studies where industry research and development has produced coatings that do not contain lead at a comparable cost.”

There is a general trend to substitute oil-based paints with water-based paints, a trend that has helped the move away from using lead pigments.

In addition, “environmentally-friendly” and “green” paints are a growing segment in the market that can help the transition.

He stressed that the new focus and trends in coating industry is single formulation for multiple functionalities; smart standards, self-repairing; integrating mobility into environmental protection and process change from environmental invasive materials like from VOCs solvents to water based and powder paints among others.

The PMA 2019 coatings show guest speaker who listed reasons why lead paint is a problem disclosed that a recent study revealed that Nigeria is one of the countries with highest levels of lead above the 90 ppm standard.

He hinted that a Nigerian non-governmental organization, Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria) which is also the Focal point for International Persistent Organic Pollutant Network (IPEN) has been engaged by SAICM UNEP/GEF Project (2019-2021) for Nigeria which will be used to demonstrate the switch by five small scale enterprises sector to alternatives.

Chairman of PMA, Mr. A .S  Babatunde in his opening remarks said in each edition of the Coatings Show the organization chose theme based on the global outlook of the Paints/Coatings industry. “We try as much as possible to be in tune with global trends and comply with quality standards, technology and safety requirements for the benefits of the environment and stakeholders, while the show serves as a platform to establish ways to penetrate other markets outside the country.

“The need to prepare paint manufacturers in Nigeria ahead of future developments in the manufacture and sale of paints, developments in raw materials for industry and other related factors such as reduction and or elimination of lead in paint, low volatile organic compound, eco friendly paints for environmental sustainability, improved quality of products to take advantage of the recently signed Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA), also guided our choice of the theme”, he said.

The PMA Chairman, who regretted that the stakeholders were not carried along in the process of phase out of lead in paint however, said the organization is ready to transit to the new materials.

Asked on what the organization is doing to produce paints that can adapt to climate change effect, he said the PMA is aware of the vagaries in weather these days. He explained that because of this, the materials they used in producing paints vary from one part of the country to the other so as to get products that fit each area.

Executive Secretary of PMA, Mr. Jude Maduka, who corroborated the Chairman, said the organization will meet the target for the phase out of lead in paint and will join the rest of the world.

The two-day show which also involved presentation of National Policy on Paints by the Director, Chemicals, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. F. Alaneme  and products exhibition by both local and international companies.