By Aisha Tamba
The National Environment Agency in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme on Wednesday held a day-long national stakeholder consultation workshop on lead in paints at the Boabab Hotel in Bijilo.
The main objective of the workshop is to create awareness among stakeholders and the general public on the effects of lead, and other chemicals in products on health and the environment as well as to pave the way forward for a regulation on chemicals in products in lead.
Officials said lead-based paint has been used, and is still in use in many countries including the Gambia, to paint the interiors and exteriors of homes and other buildings and to paint toys, furniture, playground equipment and other articles with which children can come into contact.
Studies have shown that the Gambia has a high amount of lead presence in paints sold in the country.
Lead is a heavy metal that causes adverse effects on both human health and the environment. The low-level exposure to lead can harm children and its health effects have a lifelong impact.
Speaking at the event, Sainey Touray, Chairman, National Assembly Select Committee on Environment explained that paint that contains high levels of lead additives pose a great risk of lead poisoning, especially for children and pregnant women, adding that lead poisoning remains a significant environmental health concern for children globally and lead paint is one of the major contributors to the health threat.
“Lead poisoning can have lifelong health impacts on children, including reduced IQs, learning disabilities, hypertension and seizures,” he said.
He noted that The Gambia is a country that imports the majority of products used in several activities.
He also reiterated the Gambia government’s commitment to ensuring that the health of her people and the environment is fully protected.
With no doubt, he said “your collective efforts will go a long way in protecting the health and the health of generation yet to come and the environment we live in.”
Speaking a the event, Dodou Trawalley, the Executive Director of NEA reiterated the Gambia Government’s commitment to the protection of the environment as a vital component of sustainable development
