42% of paint samples in Bangladesh contain ‘high lead levels’

Tests find unsafe lead levels even in imported decorative paints from China and Singapore

A recent study has found lead concentrations as high as 190,000ppm in decorative paints sold in Bangladesh, far exceeding the legal limit of 90ppm set for safe use.

The research, conducted by the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) with support from the Lead Exposure Elimination Project, Instiglio, BSTI, and UNICEF, revealed alarming results about the presence of lead in paints commonly used for household decoration.

The findings were presented on Tuesday at a press conference held at ESDO’s headquarters.

According to the report, out of 161 samples tested, 93 (57.8 percent) contained safe levels of lead below 90ppm.

These included both Bangladeshi and multinational brands such as Berger, Asian Paints, and Nippon.

However, 68 samples (42.2 percent) exceeded the BSTI safety threshold. Among these, 26.2 percent contained more than 1,000ppm of lead, while 3.1 percent showed levels higher than 50,000ppm.

Brands found exceeding the standard were mostly small, local, or unregistered manufacturers lacking proper laboratory testing and regulatory oversight, the report said.

Syed Marghub Morshed, ESDO chairman and former government secretary, said: “We urge authorities and industry stakeholders to take immediate action to eliminate lead from all types of paint to safeguard public health.

“We advocate for shared responsibility across production, marketing, and usage.”

ESDO Senior Technical Advisor Shahriar Hossain said the study served as a reminder that legislation alone is not enough.

“Our goal is not to blame anyone but to address a collective crisis. Safety must remain non-negotiable in art, production, and everyday life,” he added.

ESDO Executive Director Siddika Sultana said, “If the paints we use are unsafe, it poses a public health threat and psychological concern for every family and artist. We are committed to working collectively with all stakeholders to achieve a lead-free Bangladesh.”

Khodeja Khatun, BSTI’s director (chemical wing), said: “There are some procedural challenges in taking action against brands that fail to comply with lead standards, but we are trying our best to resolve them.”