A 2025 joint study on lead exposure in the paint market by the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) and the Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP) has revealed that 37.5% of paints sampled in Zambia contain dangerous levels of lead.
The study has found that many paint samples exceeded safe limits, with 37.5% containing lead levels above 90 parts per million (ppm)—the maximum level recommended by the World Health Organization. Alarmingly, 22% of the samples had extremely high concentrations above 10,000 ppm.
Lead exposure is particularly harmful to children, as it can cause irreversible damage to cognitive development, learning ability, and overall future potential.
According to the study, approximately 1.2 million children in Zambia are affected by lead poisoning, which contributes to an estimated economic loss of $1.4 billion annually.
The study emphasizes that lead-based paints pose a serious health risk, especially to children, and recommends a transition to lead-free paints—a shift that will not only protect public health but also improve brand reputation and prevent the loss of market share to safer, lead-free alternatives.
The findings were highlighted during a paint formulation workshop organized by the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with LEEP under the theme: “Advancing Industry Capacity: Towards a Lead-Free Paint Market in Zambia.”
By Best Jere
