Assessment of lead levels in decorative paints and potential health risks in Malawi

Lead poisoning is a significant public health issue in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Malawi. This study evaluated lead presence in decorative paints and associated health risks, as well as the extent of use of solvent-based paints in Malawi. Lead concentrations were measured in 66 samples from four paint types sourced from eight local manufacturers and three importers in the cities of Blantyre, Lilongwe, and Mzuzu. Purposive sampling targeting paint wholesalers and retailers was employed. Paint samples and paint flake samples were analysed using an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) according to ISO 6503:1984. Results revealed that locally manufactured paints had significantly higher lead concentrations (p ≤ 0.05) than imported paints. Specifically, gloss enamel yellow from local manufacturers exceeded the Malawi Standard (MS) permissible limit of 90 mg/L, with levels reaching as high as 20,740.38 mg/L. In contrast, all imported paints met safety standards. The findings indicate that locally produced paints pose a greater health risk, particularly to children, with hazard quotients (HQ) greater than 1 and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) values exceeding 10–4 in schools. Gloss enamel emerged as the most popular paint type, with M1A as the leading brand. To mitigate these risks, the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) should enforce stricter regulations on local paint manufacturing. Further research is necessary to evaluate lead exposure risks from older public buildings, such as offices and churches, that use decorative paints.