Analysis of lead in paints, paint scrapings, and in some kinds of stationeries intended for use by children

Abstract

It has been recognized that lead poisoning in children in the United States is mainly caused by lead containing paints. In order to clarify whether children in Japan are safe from lead poisoning or not, we investigated lead contents in paints, paints covering pencils, wax crayons, water colors, and those in paint scrapings collected from the buildings of the National Institute of Hygienic Sciences and from its members' houses by the modified A.O.A.C. method. Consequently, considerable numbers of samples containing more than 0.06% of lead, which is the regulatory limit in the United States, were found: 10/31 in paints, 3/49 in paints covering pencils, 0/55 in wax crayons, 3/54 in water colors, and 19/68 in paint scrapings collected. From those analytical data, it was clarified that children in Japan are not always safe from lead poisoning and the further investigation should be undertaken to obtain more exact information. © 1981, The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan. All rights reserved. © 1981, The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan. All rights reserved.