When children in Monrovia show learning problems, seizures or developmental delays, doctors often cannot tell if lead is the cause because there are no hospital facilities for blood lead testing and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also lacks equipment. Without tests, the scale of exposure among Liberian children is unknown.
Concerns grew after the EPA, with support from the Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP), confirmed dangerous lead in both imported and locally made paints. Stakeholder consultations began in 2019 and a technical working group formed in 2021. In January 2025 the EPA and the National Public Health Institute signed Lead Paint Regulations that align with ECOWAS and cap lead in residential and decorative paints at 90 parts per million, giving manufacturers three years to transition.
The regulation has not been published in the official gazette, so it has no legal force. Health workers say the lack of testing harms clinical care and leaves many cases undiagnosed.
Difficult words
- exposure — contact with a dangerous substance
- regulation — official rule made by a governmentRegulations
- gazette — official government publication for lawsofficial gazette
- stakeholder — person or group with an interest
- diagnose — identify a disease or health problemundiagnosed
- transition — process of changing from one state
- align — to bring into agreement or match
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Discussion questions
- How does the lack of blood lead testing affect doctors and families in your view? Give one or two examples.
- Should paint manufacturers have three years to change their products, or should the change be faster? Why?
- What steps could the government take to make these regulations legally effective and help children faster?
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