Almost three years after being presented to stakeholders in a workshop in Tunis, the draft decree setting the limit values of concentrations of lead and cadmium and their compounds as well as certain organic solvents in paints, has not been adopted yet and therefore not applied.
The goal of this regulation, the final version of which was developed in collaboration with all the stakeholders concerned (ministries of the Environment and Health, UTICA, civil society, etc.), is to prevent and reduce health and environmental repercussions of paints as they contain chemical substances deemed harmful to citizens’ health and the environment.
This mainly involves limiting lead and cadmium additives and organic solvents (Benzene and Toluene) in paints by setting limit values of these substances in paints manufactured, imported and distributed on the local market.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies lead, cadmium and benzene among the 10 chemicals of serious concern for the public health, particularly to v
ulnerable people: children, pregnant women (risk of fetal exposure) and the workers.
Several diseases are caused by these substances, mainly irreversible damage to the brain and the nervous system and kidney failure, the blood system and reproduction.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse