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High levels of toxic lead found in painted toys 

South African Medical Research Council researchers have measured unacceptably high concentrations of lead in certain painted children's toys in South Africa. "The source of the lead is the paint on the toys," said newly appointed president of the Medical Research Council, Professor Anthony MBewu.

"We are very concerned about this finding," said Angela Mathee, leader of the MRC research team that made this discovery, "because it has been well established that lead causes reductions in IQ scores, shortened concentration spans, hyperactivity and learning difficulties in children, even when the lead is present at very low levels in the blood."

"Another cause for concern is that high lead levels were found in the paint on toys such as building blocks and puzzles, which are widely used by children in their homes and at pre-school institutions," she added.

The research team's report states that young children are at particular risk, since they are known to place toys and other objects into their mouths, and may swallow lead-based paint chips in the process.

According to Ms Mathee, "painted toys with high lead levels have been found in major toy stores, as well as supermarkets, stationery stores, craft shops and craft/flea markets. These toys were both locally produced and imported."

"In some instances, the study results were alarming, with the lead concentration in some toys reaching levels several hundred times that allowed by international standards," said Ms Mathee.

Prof MBewu said: "We fully support the decision by the Department of Health, following receipt of the findings of our research team, to regulate the lead content of paint in South Africa."

"We believe that regulation will constitute a superior control mechanism to the current voluntary agreement amongst some paint manufacturers in South Africa to limit the use of lead in paint," he added.

Ms Mathee said that regulation of the lead content of paint constitutes the second major victory in the battle to prevent lead poisoning amongst children in South Africa, the first being the parliamentary decision to phase out the use of leaded petrol by 2006. "The benefits of our actions to prevent lead poisoning will extend across future generations, and will include improvements in children's health and school performance," she added.

"In the future, we will have to pay serious attention to old lead-based paint on homes and schools, and the use of lead in backyard industries as well as the informal sector," added Ms Mathee.

Ms Mathee said that, in South Africa, public awareness of the sources and hazards of lead is currently limited, and that the MRC, together with the Department of Health, is working on the development of public information materials to address this.

Prof MBewu added that the MRC will continue to investigate groups and settings at high risk of lead exposure, and work towards the design and evaluation of interventions to reduce lead exposure. - MRC

More information:

For more information, contact:
Angela Mathee, Director: Health & Development Research Group, Medical Research Council Email: amathee@mrc.ac.za 

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