Completion Report on “International Lead Poisoning

Prevention Week of Action” in Bangladesh

October 20-26, 2013

Organized by

Environment and Social Development Organization- ESDO

In Association with

2

Acknowledgement

ESDO is grateful to all the organizations and persons who have helped in making these programs

successful. The sudden arrangement of Children Rally/Human Chain would not have been

possible without cooperation from Surovi School’s authority, teachers and students. ESDO also

thank Bangladesh Paint Manufacturers Association (BPMA) and Department of Environment in

their overall participation in the Photo Exhibition and Art Competition, respectively. ESDO is

indebted to renowned artist and journalist Sayed Lutful Haque for his valuable time, and all the

participants and parents who have attended the program even after political unrests. ESDO is

thankful to media, especially ATN Bangla, for spreading the news of GAELP action week to

mass population and making it a bigger success. The last however not the least, International

Pops Elimination Network (IPEN) for their overall support and cooperation.

3

Table of Contents

1 Introduction: ............................................................................................................................ 5

1.1 Background: ..................................................................................................................... 5

1.2 International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action: ............................................. 5

1.3 Bangladesh Perspective: ................................................................................................... 6

1.4 Overall Objectives: ........................................................................................................... 7

2 Children Rally/Human Chain in Surovi School: ..................................................................... 7

2.1 Preamble of Surovi School: ............................................................................................. 7

2.2 Methodology: ................................................................................................................... 8

2.2.1 Location and Date ..................................................................................................... 8

2.2.2 Time .......................................................................................................................... 8

2.2.3 Media Exposure ........................................................................................................ 8

2.2.4 Activities of Rally: .................................................................................................... 8

2.2.5 Number of Participants ............................................................................................. 8

2.2.6 Program Schedule ..................................................................................................... 8

2.3 Result and Discussion: ..................................................................................................... 9

2.3.1 Information Session and Open Floor Discussion: .................................................... 9

2.3.2 Participatory Action: ................................................................................................. 9

2.3.3 Children walk / Rally: ............................................................................................. 10

2.3.4 Human Chain: ......................................................................................................... 10

2.3.5 Information Recipients from Children Rally: ......................................................... 11

3 Art Competition in Dhaka and Rajshashi: ............................................................................. 11

3.1 Methodology: ................................................................................................................. 11

3.1.1 Location and Date. .................................................................................................. 11

3.1.2 Time ........................................................................................................................ 11

3.1.3 Media Exposure ...................................................................................................... 12

3.1.4 Activities of Art Competition: ................................................................................ 12

3.1.5 Program Schedule of Dhaka: .................................................................................. 12

3.1.6 Program Schedule of Rajshashi: ............................................................................. 13

4

3.2 Result and Discussion: ................................................................................................... 13

3.2.1 Children gathering without social borders: ............................................................. 13

3.2.2 Information Recipients of Children Art Competition: ............................................ 13

Details of Awarded Participants in Dhaka: ........................................................................... 14

4 Photo Exhibition: ................................................................................................................... 20

4.1 Methodology: ................................................................................................................. 20

4.1.1 Location and Date ................................................................................................... 20

4.1.2 Time: The exhibition was day long which started from 11.00 a.m. ....................... 20

4.1.3 Materials of Exhibition ........................................................................................... 20

4.2 Result and Discussion: ................................................................................................... 20

4.2.1 Visual Information Dissemination: ......................................................................... 20

4.2.2 Information Recipients of Photo Exhibition: .......................................................... 21

5 Media Coverage for GAELP Action Week: .......................................................................... 21

6 Accomplishments: ................................................................................................................. 22

7 Limitation: ............................................................................................................................. 22

8 Conclusion: ............................................................................................................................ 23

5

1 Introduction:

1.1 Background:

Paint is one of the major sources of lead and lead based paints are still widely available in

different countries as decorative paints.1 These paints are used to decorate interior and exterior of

a house. This becomes a main cause of lead exposure to human, especially to children, due to

unsafe work practices during renovation and maintenance, and deposition of older paints as

dust.2

Children are the most vulnerable group to lead poisoning because they absorb more lead from

environment than the adults by direct ingestion of paint chips.3,4

According to World Health

Organization (WHO) every year around 600,000 children suffer from intellectual disabilities due

to lead poisoning.5It also causes behavioral disruptions, and in high level coma, convulsions and

in last stage death.6 The unfortunate part is although lead poisoning is a totally preventable

situation with little awareness,7 yet lead exposure is to blame 0.6% of diseases globally, with the

highest fraction in developing countries.8 WHO

claims in its recent video release that almost 99% of

people that are exposed to lead and lead poisoning

belong to developing countries.9

1.2 International Lead Poisoning Prevention

Week of Action:

Considering the prevalent exposure to lead and its

affects in children and human health in large, Global

Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (GAELP) was

started as a collaborative initiative to prevent

children and occupational contact to lead paint internationally to a wide range of stakeholders.

GAELP is a joint undertaking of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the

World Health Organization (WHO).

1http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/20056743?uid=3737584&uid=2134&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&sid=21102843

322413 2 Ibid

3 http://www.who.int/ipcs/lead_campaign/pb_campaign/en/index.html

4

http://www.n.ethz.ch/~schmia/download/cited_papers/Elevated%20Blood%20Lead%20Levels%20of%20Children

%20in%20Guiyu.pdf 5http://www.unep.org/hazardoussubstances/LeadCadmium/PrioritiesforAction/LeadPaints/FocalAreasofWork/GAE

LP/tabid/106381/Default.aspx

6 http://www.who.int/phe/features/lead_video_statement/en/index.html

7 Ibid

8 Ibid

9 http://www.who.int/phe/features/lead_video_statement/en/index.html

6

The International Week of Action on Prevention of Lead Poisoning (October 20-26th 2013) is

aimed to address the lack of awareness about this issue. During the campaign week, the Global

Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (GAELP) aims, among others actions, to:

Raise awareness about lead poisoning:

Highlight countries and partners' efforts to prevent childhood lead poisoning

Urge further action to eliminate lead paint

Already 30 countries has eliminated lead in paints and GAELP intends to, co-led by WHO and

UNEP, phase-out lead containing paint by 2020, with a target of 70 countries by 2015.10

1.3 Bangladesh Perspective:

Although in many developed countries lead based paints are banned or there is a threshold limit,

in Bangladesh regulations are still in initial stage. Mass populations of Bangladesh are even

unaware about the exposure routes and health effects of lead. Environment and Social

Development Organization- ESDO is a non-governmental organization working on

environmental and health issues with various stakeholders, to create a toxic free Bangladesh and

sustainable environment. Since 2011, ESDO has been working with GAELP in Bangladesh to

eliminate lead in paint to build a safe environment. Under this umbrella, ESDO in association

with GAELP celebrated the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action. ESDO

conducted public awareness and policy advocacy activities through a media campaign and

children’s participation:

Rally:

- Information and open floor discussion

- Participatory Action

- Children walk/rally

- Human Chain

Children’s art competition

Mobile poster and photograph exhibition (highlighting the impact of leaded paint to

human health & environment) Note: Due to political unrest and govt. restriction of open

street activities, this was organized inside a conference hall.

Video clips released through YouTube and other social media

Report launched through a press briefing

10

http://www.who.int/phe/features/lead_video_statement/en/index.html

7

1.4 Overall Objectives:

2 Children Rally/Human Chain in Surovi School:

2.1 Preamble of Surovi School:

Surovi is a non-governmental, non-political and non-profit organization which is voluntarily

participating in the development of community academic activities. From establishment, the

organization is promoting rights of underprivileged children by ensuring education and other

basic needs to build efficient human resource for Bangladesh. Surovi School is part of this

initiative, where underprivileged children are being educated. This disadvantaged group of

children lack chances to grow and these informal schools in different part of Dhaka City

Corporation enable them with these opportunities.

Create awareness among people through exhibition

Awareness raising among children through different activities-rally, art competition and exhibition

Information dessiminating among affected group

Public participation in petition to eliminate lead in paint in Bangladesh

8

2.2 Methodology:

2.2.1 Location and Date: The children rally was held in Surovi School, Dhanmondi Branch,

Dhaka on October 23, 2013

2.2.2 Time: The children rally started from 11.00 a.m. and finished at 1.00 p.m.

2.2.3 Media Exposure: Press release both in Bangla and English is prepared and submitted to

reputed newspaper for publication.

2.2.4 Activities of Rally:

Arrival of guests and children, information session and open floor discussion, participatory

actions, children rally, human chain, prize giving ceremony, awareness material distribution and

refreshments.

2.2.5 Number of Participants: Students- 100 and teachers- 20, so in total- 120.

2.2.6 Program Schedule:

S.L no. Program name Starting Time Allotted Time

1. Arrival of ESDO Team

10.00 a.m.

2. Arrangement and setting of

multimedia, banner, etc.

10. 45 a.m. 45 minutes

3. Program starting

11.00 a.m.

4. Introduction

11.05 a.m. 5 minutes

5. Presentation of Documentary

11.10 10 minutes

6. Question & Answer

11.20 a.m. 10 minutes

7. Children activity

- Briefing

- Group division

- Group activity

11.30 a.m.

- 10 minutes

- 15 minutes

8. Children Rally in school campus

12.00 a.m. 15 minutes

9. Human chain with children and

guests

12.15 a.m. 20 minutes

10. Closing remarks, prize giving &

snacks distribution

12.35 a.m. 20 minutes

9

2.3 Result and Discussion:

2.3.1 Information Session and Open Floor Discussion:

The destitute children are one of the primary exposed groups to lead contained older paints, in

working area to housing arrangement, as they mostly inhibit in the dilapidated neighborhoods.

Unfortunately, they are also the less informed group about lead poisoning from old household

paints. ESDO tried to close this gap of

information through an informative

session about lead poisoning in the

Surovi School.

The session started with an introductory

speech about GAELP and its initiatives to

prevent lead poisoning followed by a

powerpoint and video presentation. In the

powerpoint presentation the sources of

lead to human body and the result of

chronic exposure is discussed. After the

presentation an educational video,

especially for children, is played which was discussed latter by Secretary General of ESDO, Dr.

Shahriar Hossain. The children were encouraged to ask questions in the open floor discussion

where Dr. Shahriar answered those questions. These children were really inquisitive about

sources of lead in environment, why lead is used in household paint to how to prevent lead

poisoning.

2.3.2 Participatory Action:

The information session and open floor discussion was extended to a participatory action where

children demonstrated activity on collecting lead paints dust with protective measures. 100

children were divided in 10 groups and, provided with necessary equipments- hand gloves and

face mask as protective equipments and

paper for sample collection. Children

were given 15 minutes to finish the task.

The group which collected sample

following proper regulation, without

being exposed to lead dust or paint and

using proper equipments, was awarded

with prize for being the best group in the

participatory action.

10

2.3.3 Children walk /

Rally:

After the demonstration

activities, a children

rally/walk was

organized by ESDO

within the campus of

Surovi School. Children

rallied with the banner

to demand elimination

of lead in paint. They

rounded the campus to

show their support and

celebrate GAELP week.

Note: Due to political unrest and governmentt restriction of open street activities, this was

organized inside the campus.

2.3.4 Human Chain:

The children rally ended in a human chain in favor of elimination of lead in paint in Bangladesh.

Children along with ESDO chairperson Syed Marghub Murshed, Surovi School director Mr. Abu

Taher, teachers of Surovi School and ESDO team formed the chain to promote the GAELP

action week and paint without containing lead.

11

2.3.5 Information Recipients from Children Rally:

Table 1: Direct and indirect information recipients of children rally

Sl.

No.

Medium of awareness Direct

recipients

Indirect

recipients

motivated by

direct recipients

Total no. of

people became

aware

1 Children rally itself 120 600 720

2 Newspaper 500000 1500,000 2000,000

3 Facebook 500 2500 3000

4 Website (Oct. 23, 2013-

Oct.30, 2013)

20,216 60,648 80864

Total 520,836 1563,748 2084,584

3 Art Competition in Dhaka and Rajshashi:

Children art competition titled “Lead Free Paint: Healthy Child, Safe Environment” was

organized by ESDO to involve children as well as their parents in celebrating global action week.

3.1 Methodology:

3.1.1 Location and Date: The art competition was held in two major cities of Bangladesh,

Dhaka and Rajshashi, simultaneously on October 26, 2013.

- In Dhaka the competition location was at WVA conference room, Dhanmondi.

- In Rajshahion it was at Muktidata Junior School, Rajshahi Court.

3.1.2 Time: In Dhaka it was 2.00 p.m.-5.30 p.m. and in Rajshashi 10.30 a.m.-1.30 p.m.

Division of Groups in Art Competition:

- Category A: Class-I to Class- IV

- Category B: Class-V to Class- VI

12

3.1.3 Media Exposure: Press release both in Bangla and English is prepared and submitted to

reputed newspaper for publication.

3.1.4 Activities of Art Competition:

Opening of art competition by Chairperson of ESDO Syed Marghub Murshed,

introduction and briefing to the competitors, distribution of materials, competition,

collection of drawings/paintings and evaluation by a renowned artist, selection

procedure, prize and certificate giving ceremony, closing remarks of guests, distribution

of refreshments and token of appreciation.

3.1.5 Program Schedule of Dhaka:

Schedule Time

Presence

1.30 p.m.

Topic discussion

2.00-2.15 p.m.

Competition

2.15-3.15 p.m.

Evaluation 3.15-4.30 p.m.

Speech of Secretary General

4.30-4.45 p.m.

Speech of the Head Judge

4.45-5.00 p.m.

Result and prize distribution

5.00-5.10 p.m.

Certificate distribution

5.10-5.30 p.m.

End

5.30 p.m.

13

3.1.6 Program Schedule of Rajshashi:

Schedule Time

Presence

10.00-10.30 a.m.

Topic discussion

10.30-11.00 a.m.

Competition

11.00a.m.-12.00 p.m.

Speech of the Head Judge

12.00- 12.10 p.m.

Evaluation, result and prize distribution

12.10-12.45 p.m.

Certificate distribution

12.45-1.15 p.m.

End

1.15-1.30 p.m.

3.2 Result and Discussion:

3.2.1 Children gathering without social borders:

In the art competition 205 participants (105 from Dhaka and 100 from Rajshahi) from different

schools were present and directly became aware about harmful effects of lead in paints. In art

competition there was participation from Surovi School as well. One of the achievements of

ESDO was bringing privileged and underprivileged children under one banner and sitting beside

each other without considering their social and economical background.

3.2.2 Information Recipients of Children Art Competition:

It is expected that each of the participants will disseminate the information to their family

members.

Table 2: Direct and indirect information recipients of children art competition

Sl.

No.

Medium of awareness Direct

recipients

Indirect

recipients

motivated by

direct recipients

Total no. of

people became

aware

1 Art competition itself 205 1025 1,230

2 Newspaper 1000,000 3000,000 4000,000

3 Facebook 500 2500 3000

4 Website (Oct. 27, 2013-Oct.

30, 2013)

11,552 34656 46,208

Total 1012257 3038181 4050438

14

Details of Awarded Participants in Dhaka:

- Category (A): Class 1-4

1st: Tanik Binte Touhid Athay

Age: 8

Class: 3

School: Lalmatia Girls’ High School

15

2nd

: Fatema Akter Faiza

Age: 10

Class: 4

School: Lalmatia Girls’ High School

16

3rd

: Sharmin Akter

Age: 10

Class: 4

School: Lalmatia Girls’ High School

17

- Category (B): Class 5-6

1st: Ms. Iva Moni

Age: 12

Class: 6

School: Bauniabandh Surovi Junior High School

18

2nd

: Afroza Akter

Age: 12

Class: 6

School: Bauniabandh Surovi Junior High School

19

3rd

: Ms. Hamida Akter

Age: 13

Class: 6

School: Bauniabandh Surovi Junior High School

20

4 Photo Exhibition:

To support elimination of lead in paint to build a safe environment for future generation and

celebrate International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action, along with children rally and

art competition, ESDO also organized a photo exhibition. The aim of the photo exhibition was to

illustrate the macro view of lead exposure and its effects. The exhibition was inaugurated jointly

by Joint Secretary Dr. Nurul Quadir Ministry of Environment & Forests, President of

Bangladesh Paint Manufacturers Association Ms. Rupali Chowdhury and Chairperson of ESDO

Syed Marghub Murshed.

4.1 Methodology:

4.1.1 Location and Date: The exhibition was held in WVA auditorium on October 26, 2013

4.1.2 Time: The exhibition was day long which started from 11.00 a.m.

4.1.3 Materials of Exhibition: The topics of the photo exhibition were sources of lead, after

effects of lead poisoning, activities of ESDO regarding lead in paint and lead poisoning,

awareness materials about lead poisoning.

4.2 Result and Discussion:

4.2.1 Visual Information Dissemination:

The achievement of the photo exhibition was information dissemination among mass population.

Photos worked as visual information hub in diffusing facts about lead poisoning and prevention

methods.

21

4.2.2 Information Recipients of Photo Exhibition:

Table: Direct and indirect information recipients of photo exhibition

Sl.

No.

Medium of awareness Direct recipients Indirect

recipients

motivated by

direct recipients

Total no. of

people became

aware

1 Photo Exhibition 380 1900 2280

2 Newspaper 1000,000 3000,000 4000,000

3 Facebook 500 2500 3000

4 Website 11,552 34656 46,208

Total 1012432 3039056 4051488

5 Media Coverage for GAELP Action Week:

Sl.

No

Name of

Newspap

er

Title of the News Date of Publish Link

1. The News

Today

Children Demand

Lead Free Paint

Oct. 24, 2013 http://www.newstoday.com.bd/index.php?o

ption=details&news_id=2359763&date=20

13-10-24

2. The News

Today

Photograph only

(with caption)

Oct. 28, 2013 http://www.newstoday.com.bd/index.php?o

ption=details&news_id=2360148&date=20

13-10-28

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Morning

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Children Use Art

to Call for Lead

Free Paints

Oct. 29, 2013

Monthly website Visit of ESDO after posting GAELP week features: 92,000

Weekly website visit of ESDO after posting GAELP week features: 22,000

6 Accomplishments:

Raising awareness among underprivileged children, the most vulnerable group, about

lead poisoning and its prevention.

Diffusing information among mass population.

Information dissemination through informative presentation, discussion, art competition

and visual illustration.

Children awareness in general.

7 Limitation:

Due to unstable political situation ESDO has to face unexpected and unavoidable situations in

organizing the different programmes. The current Government of Bangladesh has finished its

fiver years on October 25, 2013, immediate after long Eid Vacation and opposition party

declared protest rally and hartal. As a result, ESDO had difficulty in inviting guests, deciding

programs and overall organization. On October 19, 2013 Dhaka Metropolitan Police in official

announcement restricted all types of processions, human chain, gatherings, meetings and

conferences. In that situation, ESDO has to cancel its human chain in last minute, instead the

23

Surovi School Children Rally/Human Chain was held. The guests, participants and parents were

worried about attending the programs. Due to political unrest, the EU and WHO representative

of Bangladesh were unable to attend the programs of GAELP action week.

8 Conclusion:

All over the world children are the main victim of lead poisoning from paints due to their

physical absorption process. GAELP action week is an attempt to raise awareness about this

preventable ailment. In line with this, ESDO has organized programmes to raise this issue in

Bangladesh, where lesser people are educated about lead and its after effects in human body.

ESDO organized three successful programmes, which have outreached the targeted group,

general population and especially children. Due to political situations it was difficult to arrange

the events; however ESDO overcame the situation and celebrated the action week successfully.

The organization is committed to continue its works in building a toxic free environment for

future generation by raising awareness and promote for legislation to protect human

environment.

24

News Clippings:

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

Pictorials of Commemorating GAELP Action Week

Figure 1: GAELP week of action-watching power point presentation

Figure 2: GAELP week of action-Children rally

36

Figure 3: Question & answer session after watching the presentation

Figure 4: Briefing on lead paint dust safety to the children

37

Figure 5: A demonstrative activity on lead paints dust protection amongst the youth and

children

Figure 6: Children walking on the day

38

Figure 7: Human Chain

Figure 8: Global week of action participating children

39

Figure 9: Children Art Competition

Figure 10: Children participating in Art competition

40

Figure 11: Children Art Competition

Figure 12: Prize & Certificate Giving Ceremony

41

Figure 13: Art Competition in Rajshahi

Figure 14: Prize Giving Ceremony in Rajshahi

42

Figure 15: Inauguration of Photo Exhibition

Figure 16: Spectator Watching Photo Exhibition

43

Figure 17: Spectator Watching Photo Exhibition

Figure 18: Awarded Crest in Art Competition:

44

IEC Materials of GAELP Action Week:

45

Example of Photo Exhibition Materials:

46

Appendix A:

List of Participants of Children Rally:

47

48

Appendix B:

List of Participants of Dhaka in Art Competition:

49

50

51

52

List of Participants of Rajshahi in Art Competition:

53

For further information: Siddika Sultana

Executive Director

Environment and Social Development- ESDO

E-mail: siddika@esdo.org

Website: www.esdo.org