This year, Kenya marked the 10th International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action that takes place in the last week of October since 2013 under the leadership of UNEP and the World Health Organization. The activities for the 10th Edition were organized by the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi and spearheaded by Dr. Faridah Hussein Were who is an Advisory Council Member of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint. The main sponsor of these activities was Basco Paints Products.
In his remarks, Managing Director Basco Paints Products ltd acknowledged the efforts and commitment the partners have made in creating awareness towards phasing out lead in paints since 2013. "As accompany, we have enormously invested and will continue to contribute to the development of the paint, products, standards not just for quality paints but also to strive and ensure that the toxic substances are much below the expected limits. This way we dont harm the environment or human health.
The Dean Faculty of Science & Technology acknowledged the efforts partners have made and the support the University through the office of the Associate Vice Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Enterprise has provided and the Department of Chemistry for organizing such a memorable event and the Faculty of Science & the Technology for hosting.
In his remarks, Chairman Department of Chemistry thanked all the sponsors and in particular the Managing Director, Basco Paints for sponsoring the event and the University of Nairobi Chemistry Students Association(UNCSA) for being part of the organizers.
Dr. Faridah Were who is an Advisory Council, UNEP and a member of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint and the key event organizer thanked all the over 500 participants who turned up for the walk. She acknowledged the efforts made by the sponsors since 2013. Dr. Faridah is currently supervising Master of Science student at the Department of Chemistry who is doing a research entitled "ASSESSMENT OF MATERNAL AND UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD LEAD LEVELS FROM SELECTED INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA".
About 500 lead alliance partners and stakeholders were flagged off in a procession to the designated 10 km route within the Central Business District by the Dean, Basco Paints Products Managing Director and the Chairman, Department of Chemistry. This was led by the National Band, Zangalewa dancers, St, Johns First Aiders/Ambulance, Acrobats, Police Riders and Scouts. Assorted awareness materials (banners, posters, placards, fliers) were displayed and information (fliers and brochures) was shared with the general public, encouraging them to say no to lead poisoning and efforts to phase out lead paint through enforcement of the paint standards.
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