Lead levels in new residential enamel paints in Taipei, Taiwan and comparison with those in mainland China

Abstract

Five brands of new enamel household paints from Taiwan were analyzed: two multi-nationals and three local. The median lead concentration of 2574 parts per million (ppm) dry weight was more than 30 times the current US standard of 90 ppm for new paints and was more than 4 times the former standard of 600 ppm. Lead levels ranged from below detection (4.5 ppm) to 158,000 ppm. Lead concentrations varied significantly by color of paint and paint brand but not by price per liter. Fifty-six percent of Taiwan paints had lead levels above the 90 ppm US limit. One of the multi-national brands and two of the local brands had high levels of lead with the averages ranging from 12,890 to 53,640 ppm. Concentrations were less than 90 ppm in each of the samples from the other two brands. One of the two multi-national paint brands was imported as the house brand for its big box store in Taipei and had lead levels above 600 ppm in four of five samples. Comparison of the lead concentrations of paints from Taiwan with those that we previously analyzed from mainland China revealed higher levels in Taiwan where the median level was 2574 ppm compared to 46 ppm in mainland China.