Ukraine will significantly reduce use of lead - Abramovsky

Ukraine will significantly reduce the use of lead, which has a detrimental effect on human health, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Roman Abramovsky has stated.

According to Abramovsky, the ministry has developed regulations that provide for a significant reduction in lead in paints and varnishes.

“Paint manufacturers support us. They have long understood that the use of lead can be avoided. They have supported us in such initiatives. I think that in a few weeks such regulations will be approved by the Cabinet. It will offer the use of non-toxic materials that can replace lead,” Abramovsky said on the air of Dom TV channel.

He added that the same restrictions would apply to products imported from other countries.

"Technical regulations provide for a ban on the use of lead not only in the production of paints and varnishes, but also imports of such materials," the minister said.

Abramovsky noted that the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection has to control the import of such goods.  Its task is to prevent materials that do not meet the established standards from entering the Ukrainian market.

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