BCF Blog - BCF Welcomes UK’s First Citizen-Led Study into Childhood Lead Exposure

This week, the UK Government announced the launch of its first citizen-led study into childhood lead exposure. The British Coatings Federation (BCF) warmly welcomes this initiative and acknowledges the importance of investigating potential sources of lead in the home.

Although lead-based pigments were largely phased out of decorative paints in the UK in the 1960s, there remains a possibility that some older homes - especially those redecorated in later decades - may conceal layers of legacy lead paint. Indeed, limited supplies of some decorative paints containing lead may have persisted in supply chains up to the 1990s.

At the BCF, we take this issue seriously. If you’re planning to redecorate, especially in an older property, we strongly encourage you to consult our lead-paint advice located on the PaintSafe page of our website. Testing before you begin can help prevent disturbing hidden lead layers, and if lead is confirmed, our guidance explains the safest approaches, including over-coating or supervised removal.

Whether you’re a homeowner or a professional decorator, you can download guidance and read FAQs online or request hard-copy leaflets by contacting us via info@bcf.co.uk.

Looking ahead, the BCF will continue to work closely with its members, public health bodies, and the decorating community to help spread reliable, practical guidance on this important issue. We welcome the Government’s study and remain committed to supporting homeowners and professionals in reducing any risks associated with legacy lead paint.