Zimbabwe bans lead in paint to protect children’s health
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Zimbabwe’s Environmental Management Agency (EMA) enacted new regulations to address lead poisoning, which affects an estimated 5.7 million children in the country.
The Environmental Management (Prohibition of Lead in Paint and Coating Materials) Regulations, 2026, prohibit the manufacture, import, distribution, and sale of paints and coatings exceeding 90 parts per million of lead. EMA officials responded to research showing high levels of lead in locally made paints and the significant economic impact of lead exposure.
The agency estimates Zimbabwe loses US$425 million each year in lifetime economic productivity because of lead exposure, not including healthcare and social costs. A 2022 study by the University of Zimbabwe and the Lead Exposure Elimination Project (Leep) revealed that 70 percent of oil-based paints on the market contained dangerous lead levels, some samples showed concentrations over 100 times the permitted amount. Lead poses a serious health risk, especially to children, as it can damage brain development and other organs.
EMA plans to begin enforcing the new regulations in May of the following year, giving manufacturers time to adjust their products and testing procedures. The agency is encouraging companies to replace lead-containing raw materials and remove non-compliant products from stores.
