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Creating a safer environment for children

(from left) Malaysian Paedriatric Association past president Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Sham Kasim, Malaysian Society of Allergy and Immunology president Dr Amir Hamzah Abd Latiff, Nippon Paint Malaysia Group general manager Gladys Goh, Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia president Norsheila Abdullah and Malaysian Association of Kindergartens president Eveleen Ling at the launch of Nippon Paint's Child Wellness Programme. (Photo: SIA HONG KIAU/TheStar)

Children spend an average of eight to 20 hours a day indoors, especially newborns, and their developing bodies are sensitive to allergens so it is important to ensure there are no pollutants in the air.

"Choosing the right paint for a room is important as it is a pollutant that could trigger allergic reactions," said Nippon Paint Malaysia Group general manager Gladys Goh at the launch of the group's Child Wellness Programme.

A guest taking a closer look at the products offered by Nippon Paint Malaysia at the launch.

The paint solutions are water-based, lead and mercury free with low volatile organic compound (VOC) content and total volatile organic compounds emissions which are deemed safer for the environment.

Goh said the programme was introduced in collaboration with various national associations to undertake awareness and education programmes to reach out to parents, child care centres, kindergartens and the community with expert advice and information for them to make informed decisions.

Under the programme, the partnership with the Malaysian Paediatric Association will see collaborative efforts in public outreach through seeding of expert and educational contentand engagement with medical experts.

A booth showcasing the Child Wellness range of products for a child's room.

Meanwhile, Nippon Paint is collaborating with the Malaysian Society of Allergy and Immunology (MSAI) to highlight key information to raise awareness on indoor allergens in health-related issues via a web series on Nippon Paint’s Facebook platform, live clinic sessions, expert speaker series and round-table sessions.

Nippon Paint will also play a vital role as an advisory panelist for both the Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia (PPBM) and Malaysian Association of Kindergartens (PTM), participating in training sessions, workshops to educate child care providers and kindergarten operators on the importance of the indoor environment to children.

The launch in Kuala Lumpur was also attended by MSAI president Dr Amir Hamzah Abd Latiff, PPBM president Norsheila Abdullah and PTM president Eveleen Ling.

Malaysian Paediatric Association past president Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Sham Kasim lauded the move by Nippon Paint.

"It is the responsibility of everyone to improve the health of children, not just pediatricians, nutritionists and childcare workers," he said.

Link: http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2017/09/28/creating-a-safer-environment-for-children/