Ecological Environments in Paint Industry in Bangladesh

Few Paint Companies in Bangladesh recently initiated the Eco Friendly Product with the declaring
Solidarity to Go-Green Movement in this Significant Industry. For example: Berger, Asian Paints &
Elite Paint are pioneering in this journey.

Berger: Breath Easy

Elite Paint Receives First Lead Safe Paint® Certification in Bangladesh 29 August 2017

Dhaka, Bangladesh & Emeryville, CA: Elite Paint is the first paint company in Bangladesh to achieve
Lead Safe Paint® certification. Yesterday, the news was announced publicly through a press briefing
organized by Elite Paint and  Chemical Industries in the Begum Sufia Kamal Public Library, Dhaka,
Bangladesh. The certification program, established in 2015 by the international non-profit IPEN, was
created to let customers know that the paints they are purchasing contains less than a total
concentration of 90 parts per million (ppm) lead – the strictest regulatory standard for lead content
in paint established by any government anywhere in the world.

Extending our 'Green' promise by Asian Paints

For our business, customer health and care for environment are of great importance. Continuing our
commitment to being truly ‘Green’, we are assuring our customers of eco-friendly paints through
our ‘Green Assure’ declaration.

HEALTH Challenges of Traditional Paints:

The World Health Organization says that professional decorators are 40% more likely to contract
lung cancer, so it's no great leap to wonder whether paint in the home is detrimental to those living
there (just ask the people who get allergic reactions). Not to mention the potentially harmful
processes involved in the manufacture of paint ... This is, after all, the petrochemical industry, so not
only does production involve the use of non-sustainable resources, it's said that producing one litre
of paint can result in up to 30 liters of toxic waste.

Conventional Paints:
High Content of VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) , Heavy Metal (Lead, Chromium, Titanium-Di-Oxide
etc.),Formaldehyde etc.

Problems/Demerit of High VOC:

 VOC has the brain-cell-killing power of glue.

 Paints not only release VOCs into your living environment upon application but also continue to off-gas
for several years.
 Exposure to VOCs can result in a host of problems, from mere unpleasant symptoms to severe health
conditions.
 VOCs can cause skin irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headaches, allergic skin reaction, difficulty in
breathing, labored breathing, nausea, and fatigue.
 On the more severe end, VOCs affect your nervous system and cause emesis, epistasis, and dizziness.
 In fact, the pollutants can often be between two and five times higher inside  of a house than outside of
it.

Problems/Demerit of Heavy Metals:

A. Heavy Metals:
 used in paints and have raised concerns due to their toxicity at high levels of exposure.
 they build up in the complicated problems with food chain

B. Lead:
 Lead paint contains lead as pigment which is injurious to health.
 Lead, a poisonous metal, can damage nerve connections (especially in young children) and cause blood
and brain disorders.
 Because of lead's low reactivity and solubility, lead poisoning usually only occurs in cases when it is
dispersed, such as when sanding lead-based paint prior to repainting.
 C. Chromium:
 Primer paint containing hexavalent chromium is still widely used or aerospace and automobile refinishing
applications. 
 Zinc chromate has been used as a pigment for artists' paint, known as zinc yellow or yellow 36. It is highly
toxic and now rarely used.
 It is highly toxic and now rarely used.
D. Titanium dioxide
 titanium dioxide as a whitener, which is a big contributor to environmental problems.
 it's said that producing one litre of paint can result in up to 30 litres of toxic waste.

Positive Changes in Paint Industry with Introduction of ECO or Natural Paint:

 Most people today recognize that the need to take care of the earth is greater than ever before.
 People are buying more fuel efficient automobiles and switching to longer-lasting, energy saving light
bulbs.
 As home owners complete improvements, they are finding more options available for creating an earth-
friendly house.
 Specifically, there are more choices when it comes to eco-friendly interior paints.

As with nearly any eco-friendly product, there are more advantages than disadvantages to these newer
products meant to protect humans as well as the earth. Here are some things to consider when you decide to
“go green” with your interior walls & finishing with paints.

New opportunity:
 1. Makes People & Environment as well as Earth more protected-at large.
 2. Low VOC emission reduces health risk
 3. Low Carbon Emission pollutes less Air.
 4. More protection to Mother nature.
 5. Limited use of Fossil Fuels.

Environment Friendly PAINTS:

A. Low VOC PAINTS: The 'non-toxic' paints from conventional companies with low VOC solvents (0.1-5
g/l), chemical pigments and fungicides". The water-based gloss paints is also low-VOC.

Advantages:
 Low VOC paints improve indoor air quality and reduce urban smog.
 The beneficial characteristics of such paints include low odor, clean air, and safer technology.
 Also excellent durability and a washable finish.
B. ECOPAINTS or Natural PAINTS: Generally, plant-based, water-borne paints are the best buy,
followed by plant-based, solvent-borne ones with natural solvents.

Five of the best

1. Aglaia
Manufactured in Germany since 1968 using only natural ingredients. Products for indoor walls,
timber and metal with colours you can mix yourself, or choose from the pre-mixed historical, coastal
or contemporary ranges. Also produces Edward Bulmer's Pots of Paint collection.

2. Auro
Petrochemical-free paints made using natural raw materials from environmentally managed sources
and produced using a sustainable ecological cycle. Its gloss paint is Ethical Consumer's best buy.

3. Biofa
Wall emulsions and gloss paints, stains, varnishes and cleaners, made from sustainable, natural raw
materials.

4. EarthBorn
Paints for timber, and interior and exterior walls. Water-based and free of petrochemicals, they are
the only UK brand to carry the EU eco-label flower accreditation. Stylish shades include designer
Oliver Health's Eco Chic range.

5. Ecos
Totally VOC- and solvent-free paints for interior and exterior walls, woodwork and floors. Has the British
Allergy Foundation's seal of approval. Available in 108 colours, plus a colour-matching service.
Expected Changes in The Future:
 Low to Zero VOC paints may invented to improve more indoor air quality and reduce urban smog.
 The Quickest & Safest technology of such paints may be started for low odor, clean air, and safer Ecology.
 More excellence in terms of durability and washable finish.
 No VOC paints to retain pure indoor air quality and Healthier urban fabric.
 Awareness building measures to be put forward for the overall improvement of such paints .
 Rebate, Discount & other financial Benefits may be introduced.
 Measure to be taken to limit or less use of Conventional Harmful Paints.
 Time Limit & other Strict policies to be formulated to discourage the VOC, Heavy Metal Paints.

Merit:
 At the top of the list of reasons to use eco-friendly interior house paint, is the fact that paints are now
available with low to no VOCs. VOC stands for “volatile organic compounds”.
 Don’t be misled by the word “organic”. These chemicals can potentially be carcinogenic and range from
nauseating chemicals such as ammonia and acetone up to the very dangerous formaldehyde.
 Since the VOCs are now very limited or are not there at all, indoor pollution is eliminated, making a safer
work environment for the consumer.
 To top it off, VOCs are usually responsible for the strong odor associated with interior paints so this is an
added bonus to eradicating the VOCs.
 In addition to getting rid of VOCs, eco-friendly interior house paint is generally made with water instead
of chemicals.
 Although store-bought earth friendly paints typically have fewer chemicals than standard paints, most
are not available in a chemical-free form.
 However, if you study the labels, you can find paint products that have significantly fewer chemicals than
others.
 Another positive attribute of eco-friendly paint is that they do not contain heavy metals.
 This is important because heavy metals are responsible for a very wide range of minor and serious health
issues.
 It is also possible to make your own earth-friendly paint. And, these DIY paints are typically cheaper than
their store-bought counterparts.
Demerits:
 It costs manufacturer’s money to research and then supply a product that is more earth-friendly.
 Unfortunately, that cost is passed along to the consumer so “green” paint typically costs quite a bit more
than standard paint.
 Although “green” paint does come in more than just green, colors may be limited. However,
manufacturers are working hard to expand these options, and finding the color you want may is easier
today than just a few years ago.
 You may be surprised at how definitively the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to eco-friendly
interior house paint.
 Thanks to new government regulations and a higher consumer demand for earth friendly products, the
options available continue to grow in quantity as well as quality.

Solution of the THREAT:

 Authorities should come forward to do Research and Development of ECO or Natural Paints.
 Govt should encourage the ECO or Natural Paints industry by all possible means .
 Awareness among people & nation may make it more popular.
 Tax/Levi Exemption & other Financial Assistance to be offered to them.
 Imposing Tax, VAT etc. on Traditional Eco-destroying Paint may be introduced.