By Grace Q. Bryant
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) have officially signed the Lead Paint Regulations, marking a major step forward in safeguarding public health and the environment.
The signing ceremony, held on Wednesday, January 8, 2024, at the EPA’s conference hall, brought together representatives from both institutions and other key stakeholders.
The regulation limits lead content in residential and decorative paints to 90 parts per million (ppm), aligning with ECOWAS standards. It seeks to eliminate the production, sale, and importation of lead-based paints in Liberia within three years.
In his opening remarks, Jerry Toe, Focal Point for the Lead Paint Regulation, described the initiative as a significant achievement.
“This is not just a regulatory milestone but a testament to the collaborative efforts of stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to protect public health,” he stated.
Mr. Toe emphasized that lead exposure remains a pressing public health challenge in developing countries, including Liberia.
Providing an overview of the regulation, Rafael Ngumbu, EPA’s Manager of Environmental Research and Radiation Safety, shared details about its development.
He highlighted that consultations with stakeholders began in August 2019, leading to the establishment of a technical working group in 2021.
He cited a study conducted by a UK-based team that revealed dangerously high levels of lead in locally produced paints, which necessitated urgent regulatory action.
Ngumbu explained that the regulation is rooted in Liberia’s Environmental Management Law, which mandates collaboration among the EPA, NPHIL, and other agencies to develop standards aimed at reducing environmental hazards.
During the signing ceremony, the Executive Director of the EPA, Emmanuel Yarkpawolo, underscored the harmful effects of lead exposure, particularly on children and pregnant women.
“Lead poisoning causes irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system, lowers IQ, and increases the risk of behavioral issues,” Dr. Yarkpawolo noted.
He expressed gratitude to the Liberian government, NPHIL, and international partners like the Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP) for their support in drafting and implementing the regulation.
Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo further highlighted that decaying lead-based paints release toxic dust and flakes, posing a significant source of lead exposure. He assured the public of the EPA’s commitment to enforcement through testing, awareness campaigns, and supporting manufacturers in transitioning to lead-free production.
NPHIL’s Director General, Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, described the signing as a “historic milestone” and stressed the importance of enforcement.
“This is not just another signing ceremony. It’s about ensuring that enforcement teams actively monitor compliance, especially among manufacturers still producing lead-based paints,” Dr. Nyan stated.
He praised the collaboration between the EPA and NPHIL, calling it a model for inter-agency cooperation in addressing public health and environmental protection comprehensively.
“As President Boakai has said, this will not be business as usual. Implementation and enforcement are key,” he added.
In partnership with LEEP, the EPA plans to expand studies on lead content in paints, raise public awareness, provide technical assistance to manufacturers for reformulating paints, and monitor compliance.
The signing of the Lead Paint Regulations demonstrates a shared commitment by the EPA, NPHIL, and their partners to create a lead-free Liberia.
This milestone aims to eliminate a significant source of lead exposure, promoting public health and ensuring a cleaner, safer environment for future generations. Edited
