Leaded Paint in Cambodia-Pilot-scale Assessment

Lead is a heavy metal that is well known to pose a threat to human health. Although the sale and use of lead paint has been banned in much of the developed world, lead is still commonly used in enamel paints in the developing world, including Cambodia. As Cambodia's economy grows, this may increase the purchase and use of lead-based paints, thus potentially exposing more of the population to the toxic effects of lead.

This study was performed to evaluate the concentration of lead in enamel paints in Cambodia using a method that is quick, effective, and cost-efficient.

A handheld X-ray fluorescence analyzer was used to evaluate 21 samples of enamel paint, including 8 replicates that were randomly purchased from three shops in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to evaluate the level of metals. All of the paint samples in the current study were manufactured in Thailand.

Ninety percent of the enamel paints sampled in Cambodia exceeded the voluntary standard of 100 μg/g lead of the producing country, Thailand. The mean and median levels for lead were 11,833 μg/g, and 4,961 μg/g, respectively.

Based on our pilot-scale assessment, high levels of lead appear to be common in enamel paints in Cambodia, and a fuller assessment of the situation is warranted. Import and production of such toxic products should be avoided and appropriate labeling and public warnings should be provided.