Lead-free childhood! A pilot study of lead contamination risks in kindergartens was conducted in the Kant town.
The environmental situation in Kant town is closely linked to the overall environmental situation in Kyrgyzstan, which includes issues with air quality, water quality, and biodiversity. The town has a district sanitary and epidemiological surveillance center that addresses issues related to environmental protection and public health.
In November 2025, during a pilot visit to Kant, employees of the Department of Disease Prevention and State Sanitary&Epidemiological Surveillance of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic collected data in five kindergartens to determine the lead content in paints used for playground decoration. Samples were collected at pilot sites and analyzed using a special device – a Thermo Scientific Niton XL3t 700S portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer.
In preschool institutions, measurements were taken of lead levels in the following goods and objects: soil, paint on the surface of play equipment in playgrounds, paint on the surface of floors, walls, and railings inside buildings, tableware and kitchenware (aluminum, enamel, plastic), toys, children's clothing, and mattresses.
Children's fabrics and mattresses (22/0) did not contain lead in the samples.
Toys (32/4) were mostly free of lead, with the exception of 4 samples (155 ppm - 1081 ppm).
The dishes (51/4) showed the presence of lead in some samples (metal 326 - 865 ppm).
Paint (114/84) showed lead content in more than 70% (2 -1807 mg/cm2 ) .
A pilot study shows that to prevent lead contamination in kindergartens, it's necessary to tighten controls on paint purchases. When purchasing paint, managers should pay attention not only to its cost but also to its composition. To verify the paint's composition, suppliers should be required to provide a certificate.
Toys and tableware also require special attention. When purchasing tableware, remember that lead is added to glazes and paints to impart shine, brightness, and durability to ceramics. Brightly colored items (red, yellow, green, orange) and decorative elements with gold/yellow coatings are particularly dangerous.
Regarding toys, it's important to remember that bright colors, especially yellow, on wooden and plastic toys can pose a danger. It's also important to prevent children from chewing on old toys and to carefully select new ones, choosing those from reputable manufacturers.
The initiators of conducting research in Kant and the surrounding area of Bishkek were the Public Association "Union of Photojournalists" in partnership with the NGO "AKMENA", the Public Foundation "Ecois-Bishkek" within the framework of a project with the support of the Local Action Fund LEEP *.
*The goal of the “Lead-Free Childhood” project is to support activities that could lead to the introduction or implementation of regulations aimed at eliminating lead in paints and other consumer products in Kyrgyzstan.
In case of interest, please contact the director of the Union of Photojournalists, Vladislav Ushakov [email protected] , and the project manager, Evgeniia Postnova, [email protected]
