paint
publicity that will follow would undoubtedly
severely damage the operations of these
unscrupulous operators,” she says.
She said that lead poisoning resulted in
low IQ scores, poor school performance,
hyperactivity, and learning difficulties. “And
there is no need to remind you that South
Africa’s school performance is among the worst
in the world,” she continued.
She also mentioned that some paint
samples analysed by the DOH had contained
no lead, but that the labels failed to proclaim
it. “I urge SAPMA members who comply with
government legislation through the removal
of lead from their paints to clearly state it on
their labelling. This would reassure the public
and serve as positive promotion for these
manufacturers,” she says.
A 2009 survey of lead content in South
African paints had shown that 80% of
paint on retail shelves had an elevated
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HARDWARE AFRICA 2013