Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has issued fresh guidelines aimed at making household and decorative paints across the state completely lead-free. Under the new directions, paint manufacturers will be required to ensure that the lead content in their products does not exceed 90 parts per million (ppm).
Board has also made it mandatory for companies to obtain testing certificates from accredited laboratories confirming compliance with the prescribed limit. Copies of these certificates must be provided to dealers and vendors selling the products.
In addition, the PPCB has directed all its regional offices to include lead-related conditions in the consent process granted to paint manufacturing industries. The move is intended to strengthen enforcement of environmental safety standards in the sector.
The guidelines have been issued in line with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s 2016 rules, which prohibit the manufacture, sale, import and export of household and decorative paints containing more than 90 ppm of lead.
PPCB Chairperson Reena Gupta said that lead poses a serious threat to children’s health. Exposure to lead can adversely affect brain development, learning ability and the nervous system, potentially causing long-term health complications.
She stated that the objective of the new directions is to ensure strict compliance with existing regulations, promote responsible manufacturing practices and make safe, lead-free paints available throughout Punjab.
The Board believes that the stricter monitoring mechanism will help protect public health while encouraging the paint industry to adopt safer and more sustainable production standards.
