Recently, a study conducted by LEADERS Nepal on lead levels in commercially available paints in Nepal, has found an average concentration of 23683 parts per million (ppm) of lead in 74 paint samples (distemper, emulsion, enamel, varnish and touch wood paints). This concentration is 263 times higher than the mandated allowable lead concentration in paint (90 ppm) in the U.S. Similarly, another study conducted by LEADERS Nepal on lead on floor dust of school class rooms, and public places at Sunsari- Morang corridor has found up to 49 µg/ft ² of lead, which is quite higher than the mandated allowable dust lead hazard standards of 40 µg/ft ² for floors in the U.S
Unfortunately, at present, Nepal has no regulatory standard on lead in paint. There is insufficient information on production/consumption and import/export of lead-based paints. Similarly, there is lack of information on level of lead exposure to workers in paint industries and adults and children at homes. Thus, in order to recommend effective regulatory policies to protect the health of children, adults and the environment from lead through lead-based paint, LEADERS Nepal is involved in gathering information on the production and consumption of paint, confirm current lead concentrations in paints, and characterize airborne lead levels in industries and homes in Nepal. This project aims to strengthen the capacity of sound management of lead in lead-based paint through research and capacity building workshops in Nepal. In addition, these activities will help further the implementation of the strategic approach to international chemical management (SAICM) in Nepal and assist the efforts of Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paints.
Support: United Nations Environment Program
Investigation of the effectiveness of national clean cookstoves program in Nepal in reducing Acute Respiratory Tract Infection in ≤ 5children
Acute respiratory infections (ARI), which include: acute upper respiratory tract infection (AURI) and
acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI—including bronchitis, pneumonia and bronchopneumonia) are
the major causes of morbidity and mortality among ≤5 children in developing countries.In Nepal, the Ministry
of Health and Population (MoHP) have recognized ARI including ALRI as one of the major public health
problems among ≤5 children. MoHP has given due importance to improve medical case management
strategies to lower the incidence of ARI and ALRI. With the support from USAID, MoHP has initiated a CBIMCI program. One of the main objectives of CB-IMCI program is to diagnose disease early and treat with
antibiotics at the health facility.The higher proportion of population (households) in the study area (Kavre district) use three major stoves conditions of interest: biogas+liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), Improved Cookstoves (ICS)–with
chimney, traditional biomass–without chimney, and kerosene stove. Therefore, this study will allow us to do
consistent comparisons of impacts of wide range of clean and polluting stove technologies on occurrences of
ARI and ALRI in ≤5 children. Similarly, we believe that the work proposed under this request has the
potential to assess the effectiveness of national cookstove programs in reducing household smoke and ARI
and ALRI burden in Nepal. The results of this study will be important not only in Nepal but also in other
developing countries where government (or international development organization) is planning to scale up
national clean cookstove programs.