Background.In spite of the availability of substitutes for lead and cadmium compounds in paints, manufacturers continue to produce paints with high levels of these metals. As the population continues to grow and there is a continued shift from oil-based to water-based paints, the sales and use of these paints will increase the exposure of humans and the environment to these metals.Objectives.We measured the levels of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in 174 paint samples marketed in Lagos and Ibadan, Nigeria. Paint samples from different manufacturers registered with and without Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) were considered.Methods.Samples were acid digested using a microwave digester and the levels of the elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES).Discussion.The levels of Cd and Pb (dry weight) in all samples ranged from 98–1999 μg/g and 170–3231 μg/g, respectively. All the samples were above the permissible limits of 90 ppm of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and 100 ppm limit of the European Union (EU) for Pb and Cd in paint.Conclusions.We concluded that water-based paints marketed in Nigeria still contain substantial amounts of lead and cadmium which are detrimental to human health and the entire ecosystem. These metals are among the EU priority metals due to the increased risk of occupational exposure to humans and vulnerable groups such as children.

Background.Consumer products such as paints are a potentially significant source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and oxygenated VOCs. Paints for construction and household use have been rapidly changing from oil-based to water-based paints and are one of the commonly identified sources of oxygenated VOCs in indoor environments.Objectives.Four different anti-freezing agents were identified and analyzed in 174 waterbased paint samples, purchased from popular paint markets in two metropolitan cities in Nigeria, Lagos and Ibadan.Methods.Paint samples were solvent extracted using acetonitrile and milli-Q water. Antifreezing agents in the extracts were identified and quantified using gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry and a GC-flame ionization detector, respectively.Discussion.Four different anti-freezing agents were identified in the samples, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and propylene glycol. Their levels ranged from 1,000-1,980 ppm, diethylene glycol; 1,000–3,900 ppm, triethylene glycol; 1,090–2,510 ppm, propylene glycol and 1,350–2,710 ppm, ethylene glycol. Levels of anti-freezing agents in all of the paint samples were above the permissible limits of the European Union for VOCs in paints of 500 ppm. Results of multivariate statistical analyses clearly showed that triethylene glycol was the most commonly used anti-freezing agent in paints despite its numerous harmful health effects.Conclusions.We concluded that water-based paints marketed in Nigeria contain high concentrations of anti-freezing agents, which have harmful environmental and human health effects, especially to sensitive individuals such as children.Competing Interests.The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Seven different manufacturers of paints were purchased from two major cities in southwest Nigeria. At least one sample from the same manufacturer and colour, was identified and analyzed for dibutyl phthalate (DBP). GC/MS method was developed for the identification and quantification of dibutyl phthalate in water-based paints after solvent extraction. The highest level of DBP found was 47,100 ppb (unregistered manufacturer), followed by 45,100 and 19,400 in a white, pink and cream coloured paint, respectively, while the lowest concentration was 721 ppb in a cream coloured paints, unregistered manufacturer. The PCA results were in good accordance with the findings of the correlation coefficient. DBP is used by all manufacturers for flexibility and better spreadability. It is a cheap alternative and readily available. It's an emerging contaminant newly reported in paints and its toxicological effects should not be underestimated, since there is no regulation in place.