17/11/2019

The International lead poisoning prevention week of action

The International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week  of Action is an initiative of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (the Lead Paint Alliance), which is jointly led by UNEP and WHO. The primary goal of the Alliance is to promote the global phase-out of lead paint through the establishment of appropriate legally binding measures to stop the manufacture, import, export, distribution, sale and use of lead paints in every country. International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is an opportunity to draw attention to the need for action on lead paint and other sources of lead exposure.

AWHHE joined The International lead poisoning prevention week of action in 2016 contributing to IPEN global survey of brands of household paints on sale. (Report on LEAD IN SOLVENT-BASED PAINTS FOR HOME USE IN THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA)

For the annual activities starting from 2017, please see links below:

  • 2017 – AWHHE made a presentation at the national «Green rights, violations, defense» workshop.
  • 2018 – AWHHE launched awareness raising campaign on Lead in Paints in Yerevan’s schools and policlinics 
  • 2019 – AWHHE extended the awareness raising campaign on Lead in Paints to Ararat and Armavir provinces. AWHHE experts are frequently invited to give interviews and participate in various events.

  • 2020, an information campaign was carried out for the inhabitants of 16 communities in 6 provinces of Shirak, Gegharkunik, Aragatsotn, Kotayk, Ararat and Armavir. Campaign materials were posted on the websites/ Facebook pages of the secondary schools of the communities.

    Shirak Gegharkunik Aragatsotn Kotayk Ararat Armavir
    Dzithankov, Shirakavan, Isahakyan, Jrarat, Gusanagyugh, Jrapi Artanish, Ttudjur Lusagyugh, Vardenut Goght Baghramyan, Dalar, Taperakan Aknashen, Margara

    Given the situation with the COVID-19, AWHHE used its remote communication strategy. Campaign materials including a special article were prepared and disseminated via posting on the Facebook pages of the participating schools and AWHHE website and Facebook page. The Facebook platform allowed for feedback via comments, questions and answers, this approach also helped disseminate the campaign messages via personal Facebook pages of parents, teachers and children.

     

  •  2021

    The International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week took place on October 24-31, 2021.

    Title of Project: Extending the Awareness Campaign on Health Hazards of Lead in Paint and influencing procurement policies in education sector

    AWHHE urged the Procurement Department of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia to ban the use of lead-based paints during construction or renovation of the education, culture and recreation facilities for children and youth. AWHHE advocated for strict lead limits of 90ppm in decorative paints through advocacy work with the Department of Eurasian Economic Commission and Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Economy of Armenia. AWHHE translated the campaign information materials creating a leaflet about the danger of lead-based paints and disseminate it via social media platforms among 7 communities of 4 provinces of Armenia, websites of AWHHE and “Ecolur” information NGOs. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, AWHHE added social distancing, hygiene and handwashing messages in its communication work.

  • 2022

    The 10th Anniversary of International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

    Title of Activity: Raising public awareness for contributing to control of the trade in lead chromates in Armenia

    Description of planned activity:

    Organization of a Round Table Discussion on Raising public awareness for contributing to control of the trade in lead chromates in Armenia jointly with the Aarhus Center of Yerevan to promote the adoption of stricter lead paint regulations by the Eurasian Commission, with an active participation of NGOs-members of IPEN EECCA in Armenia; dissemination of results (public awareness and capacity building plan for NGOs in Armenia) through the networks of the NGOs – members of IPEN network in Armenia and the EECCA region.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Lead in Paint interview for Mariam Radio

     

  • 2023 –  On October 22-28, 2023, “Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment” NGO participated in the activities of the annual international week for the prevention of lead poisoning cases. Conducted online information dissemination titled “Promoting Lead Paint Removal to End Lead Poisoning in Children.” Coverage: 7 provinces, 7 websites, and 12 Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, Viber social media platforms.

Information on the city of Yerevan was posted: on the website and Facebook page of the Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center” State non-profit organization, in 3 languages: Armenian, English and Russian, on the website of “Ecolur” information NGO in 3 languages, on the website of “Hetq” electronic newspaper; on the Yerevan Scientific group’s Armenian Facebook page;

Lori province: on the website of Alaverdi “City Community Integration and Support Center” on the website of “Citizen’s Voice” e-newspaper cvmedia.am in 2 languages.

Ararat province: Ditak community Facebook page

Syunik province: On the Facebook page of the Goris Information Center of the enlarged community of Goris and the “Goris Youth Center” NGO. Information is available for 12 more settlements: Akner, Aghbulagh, Barthavan, Khndzoresk, Hartashen, Dzorak, Nerkin Khndzoresk, Shurnukh, Vorotan, Vanand, Verishen, Karahunj. The information was also posted on the Facebook page of Bnunis settlement of Syunik region

Vayots Dzor province: On the Facebook page of the enlarged community of Areni. The information is available for the following 8 settlements included in the enlarged community of Areni: Agarakadzor, Aghavnadzor, Arpi, Gnishik, Yelpin, Khachik, Chiva, Rind

Tavush province: On the Facebook pages of the “Armenian Relief Fund” and the employee of the fund located in the Berd enlarged community. Information is available for 16 settlements of the Berd enlarged community: Aygepar, Artsvaberd, Mosesgegh, Chinchin, Tsaghkavan /Tavush region/, Inner Karmiraghbyur, Norashen, Choratan, Chinari, Varagavan, Aygedzor, Itsakar, Navur, Paravakar, Verin Karmiraghbyur, Tavush. On the Facebook, Mastedon platforms of the Achajur settlement of the enlarged Ijevan community of the Tavush region, links to the e-mail addresses of the employees.

This information is available to 18 more settlements of Ijevan community:

Azatamut, Aygehovit, Kayanavan, Aknaghbyur, Berkaber, Gandzakar, Getahovit, Yenokavan, Lusadzor, Ditavan, Khashtarak, Lusahovit, Sarigiugh, N. Tsaghkavan, Sevkar, Kirants, Acharkut, Vazashen.

Armavir province: The information was posted on the Facebook page of Parakar enlarged community of Armavir marz. Information is available for 8 settlements: Aygek, Arevashat, Baghramyan, Tairov, Merdzavan, Musaler, Norakert, Ptghunk.

On October 17-18, 2023, during the event titled “Inventory of New POPs – Part I: Brominated POPs and POP Pesticides” held in Montenegro, the AWHHE representative presented the results of the lead in paint campaing since 2016.

WEBINAR/Zoom by AWHHE

On October 24, 2023, information was disseminated on the Zoom platform, and 20 participants from Goris community of Syunik marz, Bnunis of Sisian enlarged community of Syunik marz, and Aigavan community of Ararat marz joined the Zoom platform and took an active part in the discussion.

Participation in webinars by partners: On October 30th, AWHHE representative participated at the webinar discussion organized by NGO “Green Forum”, entitled “Worldwide Voices: perspectives in tackling lead”.

In addition, from April to November 30, 2023, a campaign funded by the Center for Hydrometeorology and Monitoring was held on the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and the UNFCCC. During this campaign, the dangers of lead paints and the actions carried out by the Global Alliance, the Government of the Republic of Armenia, and AWHHE were presented.

WHO website:

The event is registered on the WHO website: https://www.who.int/campaigns/international-lead-poisoning-prevention-week/2023/list-of-registered-events

  • 2024

    • During the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (from 20 to 26 October 2024), AWHHE jointed the initiative by the International Pollutant Elimination Network IPEN to distribute 10 social media cards containing important messages about the toxicity of lead and the need to take preventive measures to eliminate its exposure. In particular, the call on stakeholders, governments and other decision makers to #“Get the Job Done: Ban Lead Paint to Protect Children’s Health.”

      The cards are available in English and Russian languages. During the week, AWHHE published the Armenian text along with the cards on its Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/awhhe/ ).