“Silent Hazard: Exposing the Health Risks of Lead Paint in Indonesia’s Homes

A World Bank report from researchers William Seitz and Imam Setiawan of the Poverty and Equity Global Practice reveals an urgent health crisis in Indonesia, where lead-based paint in homes is dangerously common, exposing millions to a toxic threat. The study indicates that lead poisoning remains a largely unnoticed problem in the country, with serious consequences for human capital, especially among young children. Nearly 45% of Indonesians, about 123 million people, live in homes with indoor lead-based paint, putting them at risk of the harmful effects of exposure to lead, a toxin linked to cognitive, behavioral and physical health problems. Children are particularly vulnerable: approximately 10.2 million Indonesian children under the age of five live in homes where lead-based paint is used. This exposure threatens their cognitive development, intelligence and educational outcomes. The consequences of lead poisoning include permanent brain damage, reduced IQ, attention deficits and behavioral problems. Pregnant women exposed to lead face additional risks, such as miscarriages, low birth weight and developmental problems in their unborn children.

High levels of lead found in consumer paints

Despite the significant risks, Indonesia has not yet adopted binding regulations limiting lead in paint. The existing standards remain voluntary, meaning manufacturers have no legal obligation to comply with safety guidelines. The market research conducted as part of the investigation found that approximately 77% of paint products available in stores across the country contained unsafe levels of lead, with many of these products incorrectly labeled as ‘lead-free’. Lead was found in a range of paint colors, including those traditionally considered safe, such as white and gray. Although international guidelines recommend a maximum lead concentration of 90 parts per million (ppm) for paints, the report revealed products with concentrations far exceeding this limit. Some samples contained lead levels hundreds or even thousands of times higher than recommended, underscoring the widespread contamination of consumer paint products in Indonesia. Economic factors contribute to the prevalence of lead-based paints in the market, as these paints are often cheaper than safer alternatives. On average, lead-based paints sell at a 31% lower price than lead-free paints, making them more accessible but much more dangerous.

Toxic dust and dangerous health effects

The impact of lead on health is profound and lifelong, especially for young children, whose developing brains are highly sensitive to this neurotoxin. In households with deteriorating paint conditions, children are exposed to lead-containing dust, which can result in elevated blood lead levels. These high levels are associated with significant declines in IQ, problems with lifelong learning, and an increase in the incidence of attention deficit and behavioral disorders. The World Bank analysis, which modeled blood lead levels among children in households with lead paint, revealed alarming projections. The results suggested that exposure to lead through paint could cause about 21% of Indonesian children under the age of five to exceed the blood lead threshold of 5 micrograms per deciliter, a level linked to developmental problems and cognitive impairment. Even lead paint in “good” condition, which appears intact, still releases toxic dust into the environment, leading to widespread exposure. Poorer households are at greater risk because they are more likely to live in homes with deteriorating paint. Children in these environments are exposed to levels of lead dust that significantly increase lead levels in their blood, posing serious health risks. Lead exposure in children has been shown to lower IQ by an average of three to four points per 5 micrograms per deciliter of blood lead levels, impacting educational and social outcomes.

The costs of inactivity: economic and health burdens

The health costs associated with lead exposure are significant, and the economic burden is significant. Chronic exposure contributes to a range of cardiovascular, hematological and renal diseases, which increase healthcare costs and reduce productivity. Lead is also linked to higher rates of hypertension, kidney disease and anemia, conditions that worsen other health problems common in Indonesia. The cumulative effect of these health problems translates into significant economic losses, with the cost of lead-related health problems ranging from 0.8 to 1.7 percent of Indonesian national income. The study suggests that regulatory action could generate enormous economic and social returns as the cost-benefit ratio of preventing lead exposure is significant. While other countries have introduced binding regulations to limit lead in paint, Indonesia has yet to take this step, leaving its population vulnerable to an avoidable public health crisis. In contrast, high-income countries have long had strict regulations on lead in consumer products, producing measurable improvements in public health outcomes.

Recommendations for a safer future

The report underlines that moving from voluntary to mandatory standards for lead content in paint would be a crucial step towards protecting public health in Indonesia. Such regulation would align the country with global best practices and reduce the long-term health and economic costs associated with lead exposure. The researchers recommend a multifaceted approach that includes regulatory reform, increased market monitoring and awareness campaigns. A buyback program for lead-based paints and help for paint manufacturers to switch to safer alternatives would also help reduce lead exposure. Additionally, routine testing of blood lead levels could enable early intervention and identify populations at higher risk. For the government, the findings emphasize that taking preventative measures against lead exposure is not only a public health necessity, but also an economic imperative. With evidence that preventive measures deliver significant returns on investment, this report calls for immediate action to address the pervasive threat of lead exposure in Indonesia, highlighting the need for a safer regulatory framework that prioritizes health and the well-being of future generations.