Consumer watchdog finds traces of lead in some interior paints

Five of 10 popular water-based interior emulsion paints contain traces of lead and arsenic that could harm children's growth and increase the risk of skin and bladder cancers, according to a study by the Consumer Council.

But they still fall within the city's safety standards.

The lead was detected in the brands Golden Flower, Dulux, AFM Safecoat and Ecozmo. Four colours from each brand were tested: white, baby blue, pastel pink and cream.

Levels of the heavy metal ranged from 20 to 38 parts per million - well below Hong Kong's voluntary cap of 200ppm as well as caps under standards set in Europe and New Zealand.

The city has no legally enforceable safety standard for such heavy metals, but it does for so-called volatile organic compounds, more commonly found in solvent-based paint.

These chemicals can irritate the eyes and nose and cause headaches. In the most serious cases they can cause respiratory diseases and even affect the nervous system. All 10 samples yielded volatile organic compound levels ranging from below 10 grams per litre to 25 grams per litre. The Environmental Protection Department permits a maximum of 50 grams per litre.

Agents for some of the brands disputed the test results, saying the methodologies used were different from those abroad.