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.

Objectives of International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 

  • raise awareness about health effects of lead exposure;
  • highlight the efforts of countries and partners to prevent lead exposure, particularly in children; and
  • urge further action to eliminate lead paint through regulatory action at country level.

 

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

 

“Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment” (AWHHE) NGO, a member of the International Pollutants Elimination Network, participates in the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. AWHHE will urge 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 will advocate 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 will translate 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 will add social distancing, hygiene and handwashing messages in its communication work.

Objectives:

  1. Raise awareness of community school management and parents’ groups on health hazards of lead in paint in the target communities.
  2. Influence the paint related procurement policies of the Procurement Department of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia.
  3. Advocate for strict lead paint limits of 90 ppm with the Department of Eurasian Economic Commission and Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Economy of Armenia.

 

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)

In 2017, AWHHE made a presentation at the national «Green rights, violations, defense» workshop.

In 2018, AWHHE launched awareness raising campaign on Lead in Paints in Yerevan’s schools and policlinics 

In 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.

In 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.

 

AWHHE participation in 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.

 

 AWHHE participation in 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