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Thursday, June 12, 2025

Toxic Deception: China-Made ‘EU-Compliant’ Spray Paints Found Loaded with Dangerous Levels of Lead


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In a startling and deeply disturbing discovery, the EcoWaste Coalition has unearthed a public health threat hiding in plain sight — imported Chinese spray paints brazenly labeled as “EU-compliant,” yet shockingly packed with dangerously high levels of lead.


The aerosol product in question, Aeropak Spray Paint, is being sold in local retail chains for just ₱85 per 400 mL can. But behind the seemingly innocuous price tag lies a potential hazard: lead concentrations so excessive they violate both Philippine and European safety standards — all while deceitfully bearing claims of compliance with the European Union's rigorous chemical regulations.








A Mask of Compliance, a Reality of Contamination

EcoWaste Coalition’s routine sampling of school supplies at a popular store in Pasay City led to this alarming revelation. Using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis, the group tested seven colors of Aeropak Spray Paint, four of which yielded disturbingly high lead levels:


Medium Yellow: 78,000 parts per million (ppm)


Yellow: 52,010 ppm


Leaf Green: 29,730 ppm


Gem Green: 1,211 ppm


These figures dwarf the legally mandated maximum limit of 90 ppm — a threshold established to safeguard public health, particularly that of children, pregnant women, and workers.


The most galling detail? These paints were manufactured as recently as March 27, 2025, long after the Philippines’ full phase-out of lead-containing paints was completed in 2019. Their continued presence on store shelves isn’t just irresponsible — it’s illegal.


The Regulatory Mirage

The Aeropak cans tout supposed compliance with two of the European Union’s most stringent chemical regulations:


REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals), and


RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances).


Both frameworks impose strict controls on lead compounds, particularly in consumer products. Under REACH, substances like lead carbonate and lead sulfate are either restricted or outright banned, while others like lead chromate require special authorization.


But the EcoWaste Coalition's findings expose a stark contradiction between label claims and chemical reality — a contradiction that misleads consumers and endangers lives.


“This is not just a matter of mislabeling. This is willful deception that puts children at risk of irreversible brain damage,” said one EcoWaste representative. “It violates the law and undermines consumer trust.”


A Legacy of Vigilance

Since the full implementation of the DENR Administrative Order No. 2013-24, otherwise known as the Chemical Control Order for Lead and Lead Compounds, the Philippine government has mandated a complete ban on the manufacture, importation, and sale of leaded paints.


The phase-out was staged:


2013–2016 for decorative paints


2013–2019 for industrial paints


Yet, despite years of regulatory enforcement and public awareness campaigns, the EcoWaste Coalition has already identified 213 imported aerosol paint products exceeding the 90 ppm threshold — and this is the first time such products have been caught making false claims of international compliance.


Lead: A Silent Destroyer

According to the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) — an ally of EcoWaste — lead remains one of the most insidious toxins known to humanity.


“Even small amounts of lead can severely affect a child’s brain development, lowering IQ, impairing behavior, and causing irreversible neurological damage,” warned IPEN. “No level of lead exposure is safe.”


The risks extend beyond children. Pregnant women exposed to lead can unknowingly transfer the toxic metal to their unborn babies. In adults, lead exposure can cause cardiovascular, kidney, and reproductive issues.


EcoWaste’s Call to Action: A National and Global Wake-Up Call

In light of this threat, the EcoWaste Coalition is issuing urgent calls for accountability and reform:


To Paint Manufacturers Worldwide: Cease all use of lead-based raw materials.


To Importers, Distributors, and Retailers: Demand legitimate certificates proving 90 ppm compliance before selling.


To Retail Stores: Remove and refuse to stock non-compliant, mislabeled products.


To Consumers: Reject leaded paints and opt for certified lead-safe alternatives.


The group has formally notified the local distributor of Aeropak Spray Paint and urged the immediate withdrawal of these toxic products from the market. The ultimate goal: for the paints to be returned to their manufacturer for environmentally sound disposal, in accordance with global best practices.


A Dangerous Pattern — and a Test of Integrity

This incident is not an isolated case. It reflects a troubling pattern of hazardous imports slipping through regulatory cracks — a betrayal of public trust that demands a tougher response.


“This is not just about paint,” emphasized EcoWaste. “It’s about protecting the future of our children and upholding the integrity of laws designed to keep us safe.”


As we edge closer to the new academic year and stores begin restocking school supplies, the Wazzup Pilipinas founder joins EcoWaste in sounding the alarm: toxic paint products are still out there, hiding behind lies of compliance. It is up to all of us — regulators, businesses, media, and consumers — to remain vigilant, hold violators accountable, and ensure that no child ever suffers from something as preventable as lead poisoning.


Contact your local authorities, verify your products, and demand safer alternatives. The battle against lead is far from over — and the cost of complacency is far too high.

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